The Philippine Red Cross-Zamboanga Chapter in partnership with the City Government through the Office of City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) formally turns over to barangay Cawit the water analysis characterization study (WACS) result and various equipment in line with the implementation of the Circular Economy Project.

Section 16 of R.A 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 mandates the local government unit to develop a Solid Waste Management Plan and section 17b identifies waste characterization as a required component.

Waste characterization is a process to determine the total volume of waste generated by the City or Barangay, including establishments and other waste sources (in kilogram/day).

In support to the Circular Economy Project, which is jointly implemented by the PRC and the OCENR in collaboration with the barangay Council, a Waste Analysis Characterization Study (WACS) was conducted recently.

The procedures were based on the guidelines developed by the DOST-ITDI, wherein one sample vehicle (Dump truck) is taken and quartering selection of representative was applied prior to the segregation and characterization process.

Cawit along with Sta. Catalina, Tulungatung, Cawit, Maasin, San Roque, Recodo and Baliwasan are the identified barangays for the Circular Economy program implemented based on a memorandum of agreement entered into by Mayor John Dalipe and Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang last September 2023.

Present during the WACS presentation and initial turnover of equipment were Barangay Council of Cawit led by Chairperson Rayson Modillas, PRC-ZC chapter board secretary Ma. Theresa Geraldine Pioquinto, PRC-ZC Board of Director Gerald Cris U. Pioquinto, Social Welfare Officer Isabelo A. Pinote Jr., Community Development Officer Alyssa Trinidad, PRC Volunteers and Purok Leaders. (Sheila Covarrubias)