BAGUIO CITY – The city government here honored the most improved barangays when it comes to cleanliness and sanitation during the regular flag ceremony at the city hall grounds last Feb. 15.
Winning the search for the most improved barangay is Upper Rock Quarry barangay headed by punong barangay Luis Badecao, Jr. receiving P50,000 cash incentive.
Receiving second prize with a cash incentive of P35,000 is Imelda Marcos barangay while Loakan Proper was awarded third prize with P25,000 cash incentive.
The other participating barangays recognized were Trancoville, Ambiong, Engineer’s Hill and Atok Trail. Said barangays received P5,000 cash incentives each.
The board of judges composed of Dr. Donnabel Tubera, Engr. Candido delos Santos, Marieta Joven, Charito Bueno and Robert Bruce Colewan screened and evaluated the barangays based on the improvement of water source and increased household with access to safe water for the last three years.
On nuisance, drainage, excreta and sewage disposal, the barangays must have an improved wastewater management and improved condition of septic tank or pit, and there should be no wastewater or stagnant water along roads and open spaces.
The cleanliness of the barangay is very important particularly in the solid management practice like composting, segregation, material recovery facility; regular sanitation practice like clean up drive, aso ko itali ko and tapat ko linis ko among others; and the construction of septic tank, vermin-composting for hog wastes in barangays with backyard piggeries.
The barangays must have sanitation initiatives such as barangay legislations on sanitation, clean and green program, community participation and preparedness and readiness plans.
The allotment of barangay budget for water and sanitation projects/programs for the improvement or construction of canal, drainage or sewer, improvement of water source is a significant factor to sustain and develop cleanliness in the barangay.
The search aims to recognize and at the same time encourage all barangays to improve and sustain cleanliness in their respective barangays for a cleaner and greener Baguio./Jho Arranz
