<i>Metro Manila and other cities in the Philippines are in a quandary over garbage. The landfills are filled and full to the brim like running-over septic tanks. Concerned citizens in landfill areas are led to barricade the entrance with their own selves. Some time back in Rodriguez, Rizal, the mayor even led a human barricade.
Years ago, I suggested to the barangay captain of the barangay where I live that a barangay composting center be set up. The barangay captain replied, saying, “mahirap, e,” meaning, it would be difficult. With a dash of political will, however, anything is possible.
In 2008, I again trekked to the barangay office with the same suggestion that a barangay composting center and a materials recovery facility be established in accordance with Republic Act 9003, or the Solid Waste Management Act. To the new barangay captain and to the kagawads heading concerned committees, I presented a letter aimed at introducing a waste management scheme to each barangay constituent, together with my research and supporting papers and information materials related thereto, for the barangay council’s consideration. Two months passed, however, and I have yet to hear about waste management being tackled by the barangay before its constituents.
I tried composting twice in the backyard, but the compost was not harvested, and the pits were filled and packed. Also, my mother opposed the idea. condoning every act of the househelp in mixing biodegradable waste with recyclables, and just handing them over to the dump trucks. At each instance. I squirmed with guilt within, feeling that the trash handed over to the eco aides were my home’s representatives in the dumpsites and that we added to the burdens.
To break in the idea again with the househelp, I motioned to the male househelp in my home about a different composting scheme that we could pursue in the backyard. This time, there will be a sectioning of the soil area where compost yield will be deposited for about a week until the pit is full. In this method, we dig deeper pits with a pick, and remove the rocks, stones, broken bottles, plastics, and whatnots that litter the soil, and incorporate biodegradable spoils in sequential manner until the whole plot is filled up.
In desperation, I frantically explained to the househelp the urgent need for our home to resume its composting activities as not merely a civic duty, but as a spiritual exercise. Lo and behold, my mother, who was often opposed to my ideas, suddenly conformed to the composting suggestion.
Included in the compost are fruit and vegetable peelings, fish and chicken innards, gizzards, and bones, fish scales, spoiled food, leftover food unsuitable for cat or dog fare, used cooking oil, animal or vegetable fat, wet newspapers, tissue paper, scratch papers, fallen leaves, small twigs, swept dust, cat poop, and other biodegradable matter (and as of late, panty liners and sanitary, napkins, after the plastic backing has been peeled, washed, dried, and included in the plastics pile). And, lo, a dramatic decrease in household waste began to liberate my mind from the cloud of guilt. And we no longer have flies around the house, and no fly lost even inside the abode.
Truly lucky is the home with members who are conscientious and mindful in their role as responsible stewards of the environment. This, too, is my hope for my barangay, and for all barangays in the Philippines, that each will have its own operational, and self-sustained ecology center. May we all strive for cleaner, healthier, and better place for one and all.
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