NAGA CITY — The LGU Naga and the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) in Pili, Camarines Sur will be working together in developing a technology that will help achieve the zero-waste management in this city.

Once ready, the method will be implemented at the sanitary landfill (SLF) in Barangay San Isidro, here, which is being ran by the LGU thru its Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO).

In a memorandum of understanding signed by both parties on Monday, April 5, the LGU and the CBSUA as represented by Mayor Nelson Legacion and SUC President Alberto Naperi, respectively, have agreed to collaborate for the realization of the plan by performing their respective tasks as enumerated in the agreement.

Mayor Legacion said that he felt jubilant about the project as it will further improve the LGU’s approaches on orderly and systematic disposal of garbage aside from the livelihood opportunity that it will create for individuals engaged in collecting, sorting, and cleaning plastic waste and other resources.

Among the CBSUA responsibilities: conduct consultative activities with the SWMO that aim to identify the concerns and their corresponding solutions so that the zero-waste goal will be achieved.

The learning institution shall also conduct research to be able to provide technical assistance to SWMO including the utilization of its extension and internship programs if only to achieve the purpose. It shall also conduct joint research activities with the city government in the field of agriculture and allied courses e.g. Agriculture and Bio-systems Engineering.

Naperi said they will introduce in the project the principle of circular economy, a system which is aimed at eliminating waste thru continual use of resources that promotes reuse, sharing, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling, thereby minimizes the use of resource inputs and the creation of waste, pollution and carbon emissions. 

“The circular economy aims to keep products, equipment and infrastructure in use for longer time, thus improving the productivity of these resources,” he said.

It is also included in CBSUA’s to-do things the extending of assistance to the LGU when it comes to sourcing funds and/or provide financial counterpart, when needed, for the implementation of the projects and activities;

Coordinate with other development partners in the implementation of projects/activities and conduct participatory monitoring of the project’s impact and results including the recommendation of solutions to the problems and constraints identified, and allow city government officials/employees to attend trainings/seminars/waste-related research activities for free.

The city government, on its part, shall provide the CBSUA with necessary assistance in gathering data/information relevant to the projects/activities identified by both parties; provided that any document/information that may be obtained by the CBSUA or any of its officials, faculty members, staff and students shall require consent by the LGU when so used and adopted for any purpose;

Make available for use and research identified facilities like, but not limited to, the sanitary landfill, waste treatment ponds, etc., provided that the rules and policy must be observed and followed, and;

Accept officials, faculty members, staff and students of CBSUA for research extensions, student and faculty immersion, and monitoring and evaluation activities, and ensure safety of the CBSUA students while conducting activities.

The provisions under the agreement shall be in force for 5 years unless otherwise terminated for cause by any party who need to notify in writing the other party at least 3 months before the planned termination.