• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Around 200 participants from various sectors across Bacolod City and the Negros Island Region convened yesterday, April 15, for “Istorya Basura: Rethinking Bacolod’s Waste Solutions.”
The public forum focused on the implications of waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerators and the promotion of zero-waste alternatives.
The event, organized by the Negrosanon Initiative for Climate and the Environment (NICE), brought together civil society organizations, youth groups, and local government representatives.
In a statement, NICE said the primary objective was to examine the health and environmental perspectives of WTE technologies while highlighting community-based waste management systems.
Silliman University professor Dr. Jorge Emmanuel discussed the environmental and health risks associated with the WTE.
Meanwhile, Froilan Grate, Executive Director of GAIA Asia Pacific, cited the success of cities like San Fernando as evidence that zero-waste approaches are practical and implementable.
The forum concluded with a call for continued dialogue between community members and decision-makers.
NICE highlights the need for policies that prioritize waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting as sustainable long-term solutions for the city.*
