The city government here has set aside PHP960,000 for the conduct of a waste analysis and characterization study in partnership with the Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines (SWAPP).

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Wednesday the study would enable them to identify and implement effective waste management interventions based on reliable and accurate data.

“This is one of our steps towards a cleaner, greener, and better Bacolod,” he added.

A resolution was earlier approved by the City Council authorizing Benitez to sign the memorandum of agreement with SWAPP on July 10, with a corresponding amount to fund the study, which seeks to provide baseline information necessary for the development of a comprehensive and sustainable 10-year solid waste management plan for Bacolod.

Covering all waste sources, such as residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental, in tracing the journey from generation to disposal, it will determine the volume of waste generated at its source, assess the potential for waste recovery, and gain insights into the actual volume of waste reaching the disposal sites.

With a comprehensive understanding of the waste stream, the city government can implement targeted and efficient waste management strategies, including waste reduction, recycling, and proper disposal, in line with sustainable development goals.

Currently, Bacolod is adopting the weight-based billing in garbage hauling service, from the previous fixed-fee arrangement, under its contract with IPM-Construction Development Corp. (CDC), which enabled the city government to save about 10 percent starting May this year.

Through the IPM-CDC’s trash-to-cashback program, 54,053 kg. of biowaste and 6,694 kg. of plastic waste have already been recovered in the city.

About 679,628 kg. of waste have also been recovered through the 14 recycling centers established across Bacolod. (PNA)