INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Information and Education campaigns have been conducted by the Local Government Unit to promote positive waste practices among the residents and to encourage public involvement in the implementation of a municipal solid waste management program. The campaigns focus on the maintenance of sanitation and cleanliness, segregation of waste in the urban barangays who are served by the collection system, the methods and benefits of composting, and the reduction of residual wastes by diverting recyclable materials to junk shops operating in the municipality.
Target audience of the information and education materials include the household owners of the 7 urban barangays of New and Old Poblacion, Rizal, Salvacion, Sto. Rosario and Tastasan; the vendors and stall owners of the public markets in Old Poblacion and Sto. Rosario; owners of business establishments in Buenavista; students; farmers in barangays San Nicolas, San Fernando, Banban and Cansilayan; and ethnic communities in Barangay San Nicolas.
The strategies used include the conduct of orientations, lectures and briefings on solid waste management to vendors, owners of stalls and business establishments, students and farmers groups. Billboards carrying messages on waste practices are posted in public buildings, in the port area, public markets, schools and parks. Public announcements are periodically broadcast in the public markets. Leaflets and brochures containing instructions on segregation, recycling, and composting are regularly produced and distributed. A jingle and a poster making contest on solid waste management themes have also been undertaken by the LGU. During the school holidays in March-April 2006, 45 student volunteers were mobilized to conduct a house-to-house information drive on appropriate waste management in the urban barangays.
