ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

Mankind is in the middle rapid development.And as man changes his world also changes, his fancies,his likes and dislikes,his perspectives and personalities.Amid this rapid change and development,man tends to forget his natural world.He seems not to care about his environment.He fails to notice that nature is calling on him for help.

As the technology advances the province of Guimaras faces severe problems on waste management and disposal.Government officials look for solutions to the problem.They believe that the community must be involve in looking for these solutions.

Proper waste management is a solution that they came up with.

Waste Management includes :

1.SORTING.Separating wastes by type at the places where it is generated.

From the facility,the waste is sorted into kinds from biodegradable to non-biodegradable.All wastes are subject for sorting.After gathering the wastes,they are being sent to sites where there is automated sorting machine.The machine separates the recyclable materials and send it to the recycling area.The leftover garbages are sent into sanitary landfills and dumping sites.

2.HANDLING.Collecting and transporting waste within the facility.

3.INTERIM STORAGE.Storing waste within the facility and disposing it when needed.

4.FINAL DISPOSAL.Eliminating and disposing waste from the facility.

Disposal of wastes:

SOLID WASTE:

BURNING.Burning of Solid wastes is one of the advisable measures of treating wastes.

BURYING.Burying includes dumping the garbages into pit and covering it with soil.

LIQUID WASTES.

Pour the liquid wastes into solid wastes before disposing.

The government’s ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT has been adopted by the province of Guimaras. People follow the provisions of the law.The municipality of Jordan implemented Municipal Ordinance 2004-003(ANG BASURA PARA SA BASURAHAN).

The province has decided to implement an Ecological Solid Waste Management Program that will be facilitated by residents and barangay officials.

In the town of Jordan the program has been implemented with the participation institutions like Jordan National High School,TVC-Sta.Teresa National High School,San Miguel Central School And Jordan Central School.

The province has evolve has evolve with a changing world.It has undergone a series of calamities man-made and natural,yet its people were able to preserve the island’s beauty.

Through the years resident have learned to reduce consumption and reuse materials that can be recycled to help preserve the environment.

EFFECTS ON GUIMARASNONS

1.DESTRUCTION OF TOURIST SPOT AND POLLUTION

a.Destruction of the Port San Jose Waters. Improper waste disposal caused the pollution of this port which made it disgusting to look at.

b.Destruction of the Ambakan Falls.It has been damaged due to the improper dumping of garbage its surface.

c.Destruction of the Macopo Falls.Macopo is one of top destination in the province. However,the dumping site nearby and water wastes from funeral homes makes the waters dirty.

d.Jordan Food Terminal.This should be a clean place since this is a place for food.But garbage has made it unsanitary.

e.Destruction of the Sadsad Falls.Located in Ravina,it has been a tourist destination. The dumping site people have created few meters awy destros that Falls’ appearance.

2.THE SPREAD OF DISEASES

The problem on garbage brought various diseases.

a.water-borne diseases

Typhoid fever. Typhoid cases increase when the province face challenges on wastes.In 2000, there are 20 reported cases,1 is dead.This is much lower compared to previous recorded cases.
Diarrhea. It is a food and water-borne disease.Statistics show that contamination is one of the leading causes of this disease.
Cholera. It is also caused by pollution which has led to death of some residents.

THINGS GUIMARASNONS ARE DOING RIGHT NOW

Waste Segregation.Waste is separated into Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable.It is then collected by garbage collectors separately,Non-Biodegradable is recycled and Biodegradable is thrown into compost pits.
Proper Waste Handling and Storage.Residents store waste products separately with labeled containers or color codes.They also handle waste carefully to avoid contamination. Hand washing is advised after handling waste.
Creation of the Bugnay Sanitary Landfill.The creation of this landfill helps solve the problem on garbage.Waste from neighboring barangats are dumped here.
The Use of Compost Pits.Families in the province are advised to use compost pits instead of burning their garbage.
Information Dissemination.Towns and barangays conduct seminars and symposiums for the awareness in the dangers of garbage.They also disseminate information on ways of managing wastes.