NATIONAL GREENING PROGRAM implemented in Gigaquit

This National Greening Program is one of the programs of our Pres. Noynoy Aquino especially to those who are in the mining industry. With Executive Order No. 26, there is a need for reforestation, replant trees to those mountains that were already devastated because of mining operations so that it could not cause disaster in times of bad weather.

CLEAN UP SURIGAO…CLEAN UP THE WORLD

The Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO) in partnership with the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte through the (ACES) program Advocacy for a Clean Environment and its Sustainability jointly implemented the “ Clean up Surigao…Clean up the world” project last September 18, 2009 through the support of the provincial government.

The Local Government Unit of Gigaquit under the supervision of Hon. Carlos M. Egay Sr. supported the said program with the theme: “Communities Uniting to Combat Climate Change”. The chief officers in the community were challenged to undergo “zero waste” process which eliminates waste as an efficient way of looking at the materials to be used in the resource recovery center.

The Government employees in the municipality were divided into five (5) groups. Each has an assigned area in the cleaning process. The venue for the said activity was Sitio Baoy, Brgy. San Isidro, Gigaquit, SDN particularly the dam irrigation which served as the "port area" going to the hinterlands of the three (3) barangays (LASICAM).

The weighing of collectible wastes was also done by the assessor’s office to determine the quantity of waste and also for segregation purposes. The non-biodegradable item was placed in the newly established (MRF) Material Recovery Facility. All recyclable items must be handled in the most resourceful way. This is one way also of achieving a clean environment and minimizing destructions from calamities that certainly ruined the lives of the people in the community. As concerned citizens in this municipality, we were called to be united in order to combat climate change. Good motivation would be dependent on everyone, provided they are more educated and knowledgeable regarding environmental concerns. Prevention is the most essential way in fulfilling this kind of goal.

The 2nd ROBERT ACE S. BARBERS, SEARCH FOR THE CLEAN AND GREEN MUNICIPALITY

The Provincial Government of Surigao Del Norte through the Provincial Environment and Management Office conducted the second “Search for the Clean and Green Municipality” competed by various municipalities from both mainland and Siargao Islands, last October 26, 2009. The Local Government Unit of Gigaquit was part of the itinerary on that scheduled date. The evaluators came from selected departments in the province such as: Provincial Health Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, Provincial Tourism and Culture Office and Provincial Planning and Development Office. Through the implementation of such initial hauling plan in the municipality, various educational campaign and information were also done by some officials concerned on the segregation of wastes and the existence of compost pit.

The evaluation procedures were guided by the department heads of the municipality, particularly the on-site visitation in schools both secondary and elementary level, rural health centers, barangay chapters and the practiced of waste segregation of the constituents through the existence of a resource recovery center. The purok Makiangayon in barangay Alambique served to be the model site for winning the 1st prize during the last purok fencing contest. The garden area in the health center was also visited featuring different kinds of vegetables in gardening procedures.

Through this project, it is hoped that the constituents may realize the importance of having a clean environment leading to a better and productive community.