Bacolod City – An ordinance institutionalizing the Circular Economy Program of Bacolod City, was passed by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panglunsod (SP), recently on its first reading.
Authored by Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., the “Circular Economy Program of Bacolod City” is the designed to launch the city as the forerunner in transforming tons of its solid wastes into recycled, repurposed or up-cycled resources thus, significantly reduce landfill waste management cost by up to 60 percent and at the same time generate livelihood opportunities.
Gamboa said Bacolod City alone produces tons of organic and inorganic wastes and the gory dumpsite in Barangay Felisa needs a comprehensive framework to convert wastes into valuable resources by adopting circular economic strategy such as the tax incentives schemes to livelihood opportunities from newly created green industries and to corporations and organizations circular economy strategies.
He said the circular economy practices and strategies can create livelihood opportunities, increase revenues from new industries, and qualify Bacolod City for incentives from the Climate Change Commission, grants from the DENR-EMB, and international funding programs.
The funding for the implementation of this Ordinance will be sourced from the 20 percent Development Fund of the City Government and/or from the Environmental Management Fund derived from local environmental fees and penalties.
The ordinance provides tax incentives of up to 5 percent in local business taxes for certified establishments implementing approved systems; an annual “Circular Economy Champion Awards” will be held to recognize outstanding organizations and barangays by the city government recognition programs; and the city will also offer free training, workshops, and technical assistance through accredited recycling and upcycling facilities.
Anchored on the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (R.A. 9003), the proposed ordinance declares Bacolod policies to minimize landfill waste through upcycling and sustainable reuse; support community and private sector partnerships in solid waste management; encourage the creation of green enterprises through incentives; advance climate adaptation and mitigation; and create new economic opportunities from waste conversion.
The Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) is tasked as the lead implementing agency and for drafting the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) while the Bacolod City Circular Economy Board (BCCEB) will be created to oversee implementation; to be chaired by the City Mayor, with BENRO as vice-chair, and representatives from the business sector, academe, NGOs, barangays, and relevant city departments as members.
Gamboa said, “The proposed Circular Economy Ordinance aims to position Bacolod City as among the highly urbanized cities in the Philippines that have institutionalized a circular economy framework that significantly reduces wastes, promotes green businesses that will create jobs, and contributes to climate change mitigation.” (Chrysee Semillano via tvds)