THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Batangas in partnership with the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute and World Vision Philippines, conducted a two-day training on Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) for the Local Government Unit of Laurel, Batangas (LGU-Laurel) held at Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall and Municipal Recovery Facility (MRF), Brgy. Molinete, Laurel, Batangas, March 22-23.
Staff from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), and Barangay Councilors in the Municipality of Laurel participated the training. The training helped capacitate the participants on WACS, its functions and relevance in formulating strategies, programs, projects, and activities that would improve the municipality’s solid waste management.
In accordance with Republic Act (RA) 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, the participants were trained on how to use a streamlined method of conducting WACS as an essential input in the development of their municipality’s ten-year solid waste management plans.
Technical experts from DOST-ITDI facilitated the training, divided into lectures and workshops. Dr. Myra L. Tansengco, Supervising Science Research Specialist, presented the basics of WACS, procedures, worksheets for non-households, initial planning, and formation of the WACS team. Mr. David Herrera, Science Research Specialist II, discussed the salient features of RA 9003, health and safety guidelines for conducting WACS, and the stratification classification of waste generators and facilitated the actual WACS dry-run.
To put into actual use all the principles discussed, Engr. Joven R. Barcelo, Science Research Specialist I, shared the sample size determination, worksheet preparation, end-of-pipe WACS, dry-run data, and facilitated the workshop on WACS worksheets for households. He also covered various technologies for solid waste management developed by DOST-ITDI.
Technical experts explained that the primary purpose of WACS is to provide baseline data for the LGU’s monitoring and performance evaluation of solid waste management programs and activities. Hence, WACS data can be utilized to identify appropriate programs and strategies for LGU-Laurel’s specific requirements and goals.
A WACS dry-run was also conducted at the MRF, Brgy. Molinete, Laurel, Batangas. Participants were asked to identify and characterize the wastes sorted, weighed, and recorded by the MENRO and then perform the calculations as part of the WACS application.
LGU-Laurel’s MENRO designated officer, Mr. Marvin A. Vergara, thanked DOST and World Vision Philippines for conducting this training. He mentioned how relevant this training was in advancing the participants’ knowledge and skills and in streamlining their Municipality’s WACS plan.| – John Maico M. Hernandez / BNN
