12/20/2008 [ tribune.net.ph ]
Irosin Mayor Lilia Gonzales and the local legislative council have established a controlled dumpsite that will evolve into an ecological park in barangay Patag that serves as a site for support infrastructure for delivery of other services including solid waste management, environmental protection, agricultural support, nutrition and livelihood services, and tourism promotion geared towards a more progressive community.
Until 2000, Irosin garbage was thrown into an open dumpsite in Barangay Gulang-Gulang, posing a health and sanitation risks with its proximity to human habitations and water sources, and attracting scavengers and disease-vector animals.
In 2001, the municipal government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources opened a controlled dumpsite in Patag aand integrated the establishment of facilities for the municipal nursery.
It also has facilities for the systematic, comprehensive and ecological management of solid waste generated in the community, with a functional waste collection and transfer system in accordance with the provisions of RA 9003 or The Solid Waste Management Act of 2003.
The controlled dumpsite component, with an area of not less than two hectares, is expected to last 10 to 15 years and accommodate a daily volume of five to seven tons of solid waste occupying 0.1 hectare of dumping work space per year.
The ecological park caters to the agricultural sector through the multi-layer nursery providing planting materials for upland reforestation, community-based gardens, urban space greening and tree-planting activities.
It now serves as venue for demonstration on new agriculture technology development and transfer to boost production of high-value crops and organic fertilizers. It also maintains a hog-breeding station intended for livestock dispersal.
The ecological park serves five urban and three rural barangays. PNA
