GUIMARAS — The Province of Guimaras and the municipalities of Jordan and Nueva Valencia have been recognized by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region VI for their outstanding commitment to sustainability and innovative waste reduction initiatives, affirming their leadership in ecological solid waste management in Western Visayas.
The awards were given in line with the observance of Philippine National Environmental Awareness Month, honoring local government units (LGUs) that demonstrated exemplary implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act 9003).
At the provincial level, Guimaras was cited for its Outstanding Practices in Maximizing Resource Recovery and Promoting the Circular Economy. The recognition specifically highlighted the successful and sustained operation of the province’s Plastic-to-Chair facility, which converts plastic waste into durable eco-lumbers—effectively reducing residual waste while showcasing circular economy efforts in action.
The Municipality of Nueva Valencia received recognition for its Comprehensive Implementation of the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction, and Management of Marine Litter (NPOA-ML), further enhancing its overall solid waste management (SWM) program.
Both Jordan and Nueva Valencia were also commended for Outstanding Practices in Sustainable Ecological SWM Programs, underscoring their community-driven and systems-based approaches to local waste management.
Officials said the recognition not only serves as an accolade but also reinforces the collective commitment of Guimaras to maintain a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable island. The province’s Plastic Recycling Facility continues to serve as a model for LGUs nationwide, demonstrating how waste can be transformed into valuable community resources.
The awards were formally received by Jan Felix Balquin, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) of Jordan; Aljun Margallo, MENRO of Nueva Valencia; and Leonard Pasiderio, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) of the Guimaras Environmental and Natural Resources Office (GENRO), representing a unified provincial effort to safeguard the island’s environment and natural resources./PN
