Sulu officials seek US aid over garbage crisis
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/16/2008 9:15 PM
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The Philippine and US military arranged a meeting between local leaders of Sulu and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) last Friday to help solve the garbage and flood problems in Jolo.
The meeting, attended by the representatives of the military’s Joint Task Force Comet and Task Force-Sulu’s Civil Affairs Team, Environmental Governance (EcoGov) of the USAID, municipal government units of Jolo, Indanan, and Patikul headed by their Provincial Government through the Area Coordinating Center (ACC), was held at Garden Orchid, Zamboanga City.
Provincial ACC Executive Director Falzur Abdulla said that the provincial government will welcome any support and help from the military and USAID to back their ongoing efforts against garbage.
The municipality of Patikul expressed concern over the garbage being dumped in Tugas Barangay. The garbage is now piled on the side of the road blocking all access to the majority of the landfill area.
This prompted the municipal governments of Jolo, Indanan, and Patikul to seek technical assistance to improve the dump. Local leaders said they need outside resourcing in obtaining heavy equipment and technical advice and expertise in waste management measures.
Also discussed in the meeting was Jolo’s flood problem.
Sulu Assistant Provincial Planning and Development Officer Engineer Ben Akalal said the frequent flooding in Jolo is brought about by rapid urbanization.
“The poor awareness of local and barangay officials and concerned agencies to enforce proper maintenance of garbage or drainage system and proper zoning policies, greatly affect the existing canals, waterways, esteros, drainage and outlets especially in coastal barangays,” states Engr Akalal.
Akalal recommended the creation of Flood Crisis Council; conduct of clean-up operation of drainage system and reactivation of all condemned outlets; declogging of waterways, canals, and esteros; construction and rehabilitation of drainage pipelines; and the integration of cleanliness campaign within the context of Islam.
“Solid waste management is just one of the keys in solving the flood problems in Jolo,” he said.
