“Tapat ko, Linis Ko.   Basura ko, Sagot Ko” are some of the most popular catchphrases displayed in the public places to promote clean environment and waste management.

For the past years, many people are alarmed about the vast effect of unmanaged solid waste just like the case in Payatas, Quezon City wherein 200 people died from landslide and leaving many bodies unrecovered.

In line with Republic Act 9003, or The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, government programs such as “Just think BIG” ( Basura’y Ihiwalay Gawin lagi, Basura’y I-recycle Gamitin ulit, Basura’y Ibaon, Gawing compost) was endorsed as a response to the problem on solid waste management.

Alalay Sa Kaunlaran (ASKI) Inc has opened a window to support RA 9003.

Two Comdev projects for environment were born as a response to addressing these ecological concerns: EICO (Empowering Informal workforce through Community Organization) and LDP (Livelihood Development Program for Poor Farmers) to facilitate activities and projects on environment preservation and conservation.

ASKI Comdev program has established 40 People’s Organizations (PO) in 13 municipalities/towns in Region 2 and 3. Out of the 40, only 32 POs from EICO and LDP Projects have programs and activities for environment.

One of which is the tree planting activity, which the PO members have identified to minimize the occurence of floods in the areas. Main reason they focus on tree planting activities is because floods have directly affected business of most clients.

The presence of solid waste materials largely contribute in clogging the arteries of drainage systems/canals and hamper the smooth flow of waste water - not to mention the pollution it brings to bodies of water.

To directly adress this problem, the POs regularly conduct cleaning activities of the canal and drainage system. They also construct Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) so that the solid waste materials will be gathered in one place for recycling or compositing purpose.

There is also a hygiene and sanitation problem in most of the remote clients areas of ASKI. Due to limited number of toilets in these areas, most residents defecate in the open, adding more pollutants to the environment.

As a quick response, 77 toilets were constructed in the municipality of Laur through the LDP project, benefitting 77 families.

ASKI has committed itself in protecting the environment and the people. And with the cooperation of the stakeholders in these areas, ASKI hopes that eventually, the environment will heal itself and the people will have the commitment to protect and preserve nature and its surroundings.

We are all aware that managing solid waste is a gargantuan task and an ever increasing problem that face the world. If we do not properly manage our garbage, more lives will be at risk... and we are waiting for a ticking environmnetal "time bomb" ready to explode anytime.

We cannot afford to lose more lives.

And this is the greatest challenge for all of us.