Magarao Town Tops "Zero Basura Olympics"

Camarines Sur Province (30 April) -- Magarao town in this province has won the first-ever National Zero Basura Olympics cited among the fourth to sixth class municipalities with most innovative and effective approaches managing solid waste.

Mayor Nelson Julia, along with the municipal government officials, received the award from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in an awarding ceremonies held in Malacañang Palace last April 23.

The winners represent a diverse mix of topography and fiscal standings ranging from top to the least revenue earners led by the country's financial capital, Makati City and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, a second class component city, both winning in the "Highly Urbanized and Component Cities" category.

Other winners include San Mateo in Isabela, a first class municipality, and the coastal town of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur, a 3rd class municipality, notching the top 2 spots in the first to third class municipalities category.

Magarao, a 4th class municipality and Bikol lone entry to the awards program, was declared as the lone winner in the fourth and sixth class municipalities category.

Environment Secretary Horacio Ramos said the winning three towns and two cities, "collectively send a strong message that geography and fiscal standing are not obstacle for local governments to find viable means in soling their solid waste management problems."

The nationwide contests for best eco-waste management practices started in 2003 to generate greater multi-sectoral interest and partnership in addressing the solid waste management problem in the country and spur compliance by local government units to RA 9003.

Zero Basura Olympics is the upgrading of the nationwide search to municipal and city level. A total of 62 LGUs took part in the contest with 11 cities and 51 municipalities. (EMB V/PIA)