Envoy cites need for change in mindset on waste disposal

Despite the garbage teeming from a creek in Taguig City, residents are now more aware of ill effects of haphazard trash disposal with the destruction wrought by Tropical Storm “Ondoy” a stern reminder on the need for a change in mindset, according to the Australian ambassador to Manila.

Ambassador Rod Smith cited the volunteerism among community members of Barangay Hagonoy and neighboring areas when the Australian Embassy led a cleanup drive at Hagonoy Creek, a waterway that leads to the Laguna de Bay.

He conceded though that changing people’s mindset on waste disposal would need time.

Long-term process

“It’s a long-term process of education,” he told reporters at the sidelines of the cleanup. “It’s never too late to start but you have to accept that it’s going to take some time.”

Smith led some 100 volunteers from the embassy, and from employees of Australian firms based in Manila in the cleanup, in cooperation with the Taguig City Government, and the nonprofit Clean Up the Philippines, an affiliate of the Sydney-headquartered Clean Up the World.

Smith noted that the wheels of change pertaining to people’s environmental awareness were already in motion, gauging the spirit of volunteerism gleaned from the event.

City Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano shared a similar view, explaining that barangay officials as well as community leaders were very responsive in cleanups such as the one held yesterday.

But ultimately, there’s more that needs to be done, she pointed out.

Waste segregation

“We can do this every day, but until people learn how to segregate at their own backyards, we will have the same problem over and over again,” Cayetano told reporters. As for the city government, we will never get tired, but people must realize the government can’t do it alone.”

She said segregating one’s garbage at home would definitely make collection a breeze.

Members of the Philippine Business for Social Progress also held a lecture on vermicomposting to help residents turn biodegradable waste into compost using worms.

For his part, Smith acknowledged that informal communities in the area were stalling efforts to have a cleaner environment because “simple infrastructure for waste collection just aren’t there.” He reiterated though that cleanup drives remind people of their responsibility in their surroundings.

The Australian Embassy is working with the city government in relocating informal settler communities to safer ground.