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Considering the volume of biodegradable wastes contributed by the commercial activities, residential, and farming sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) together with the Bureau of Soils & Water Management (BSWM) turned over Composting Facilities for Biodegradable Waste (CFBW) to 15 Local Government Units (LGU) and five Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCA) in the Caraga region on October 7.
The municipalities of San Luis, Talacogon, Loreto, Veruela, and La Paz in Agusan del Sur, municipality of Sison in Surigao del Norte, municipality of Lianga in Surigao del Sur, and the municipalities of San Jose, Basilisa, Libjo, Cagdianao, and Dinagat in Dinagat Islands each received a packaged of the CFBW which comprises one unit of the rotary composter and one unit of shredder machine.
The Sto. Niño Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Taguibo IPM Farmers Association in Butuan City, Quimayong Farmers Association in Trento, Agusan del Sur, Antao Palaycheck Farmers Association, and San Agustin Organic Farmers Organization in Surigao del Sur also received the same intervention.
DA-BSWM Regional Soils & Water Area Coordinator Marcelo P. Dayo led the distribution of the CFBW with a total worth of P18.8 million.
Dayo emphasized that the distribution of CFBW promotes proper waste management through appropriate methods of sorting, collecting, and composting.
“The actions taken by the LGUs in addressing biodegradable waste through the use of the facility will encourage resource conservation and recovery. This will also benefit the farmers to lessen their dependence on synthetic fertilizers thus promotes organic farming,” said Dayo.
Moreover, the provision of the facility accelerates the production and commercialization of organic fertilizers and other inputs.
“The wastes generated from the public markets, residences, and farms if properly decomposed are a good source for essential nutrients and other organic compounds that will help improve soil health. A CFBW facility can produce one ton of organic fertilizer a month,” he added.
On the other hand, the Municipal Agriculture Office of Veruela, Agusan del Sur headed by Municipal Agriculturist Darwin B. Balonda partnered with the Municipal Environment & Natural Resource Office headed by Angelito T. Rulida for the operation of CFBW.
“The LGU-Veruela is grateful for this intervention. The facility is a solution for the proper waste management in our municipality. We cover 20 barangays in which 61% of the biodegradable waste comes from residential and commercial areas. Thru the CFBW, we can produce quality compost in just one week compared to the traditional composting that takes 2-3 months of decomposition,” said Rulida.
From 2015 to 2020, BSWM has distributed 957 CFBWs nationwide. This year, they have started the distribution of 321 CFBWs. Luzon is set to receive 160 units, Visayas 70 units, and Mindanao 91 units which are scheduled to be delivered until October 2021. (Rhea C. Abao, Information Officer II DA-Caraga RAFIS)
