Zamboanga City is stepping up its campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment with the rollout of nine color-coded garbage bins to strengthen waste segregation practices across communities, offices and establishments.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (OCENR), is part of Mayor Khymer Olaso’s directive to fully enforce solid waste segregation under the city’s flagship environmental drive.

During the Monday’s flag-raising ceremony, September 29 at City Hall grounds, Acting OCENR Chief Gerry Pollisco led a demonstration before Mayor Olaso, city officials and employees, showing the proper disposal of plastics, metals, paper, residuals, healthcare waste, hazardous electronic waste, biodegradable materials and used cooking oil.

The activity highlighted the importance of responsible waste management in safeguarding Zamboanga’s environment.

Mayor Olaso commended the OCENR for its proactive efforts and directed the swift implementation of the segregation program citywide. Nonetheless, the program will be strictly enforced in all offices under the city government, fast food chains and other restaurants and eventually in all other areas of the city.

Anchored on the Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) Guidelines approved by the National Solid Waste Management Commission, the program ensures that Zamboanga aligns with national standards for effective solid waste management.

Present during the presentation were Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Mayor Celso Lobregat, City Administrator Percival Ramos, City Department Heads, members of the Federation of the Senior Citizen Association of the Philippines, Inc. (FSCAP), police personnel and various stakeholders who signified support for the city’s greener future. (Arvin Midel) (photo credits: Kathy Wee Sit)