Barangay Ayala, one of the identified areas for the Circular Economy program of the Philippine Red Cross and the city government, receives various equipment and its waste analysis characterization study (WACS) result to help strengthen its solid waste management efforts.

The program is pursuant to the joint memorandum of understanding entered into by the PRC-ZC chapter through PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang and Mayor John Dalipe last September 2023. It is intended to intensify the implementation of the solid waste management program in the barangays.

Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 specifically Section 16, 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).

The PRC-Zamboanga City Chapter in partnership with the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) and the barangay council conducted the WACS for barangay Ayala at the sanitary landfill area in Pasobolong. 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.

Aside from Ayala, the other barangays identified as part of the Circular Economy Program are Cawit, Sta. Catalina, Tulungatung, Maasin, San Roque, Recodo and Baliwasan.

Present during the turnover of equipment and WACS result last May 29 at the Ayala covered court were Barangay Admin Arnold Sumalit, PRC-ZC chapter Board Secretary Ma. Theresa Geraldine Pioquinto, Board member Gerald Cris Pioquinto, Social Welfare Officer Isabelo Pinote Jr., Community Development Officer Alyssa Trinidad, PRC volunteers and purok leaders. (Sheila Covarrubias)