Livelihood training on wastes initiated to protect Bued River

April 14, 2019 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY – Community members and barangay officials along and within Bued River tributaries in Baguio City and Tuba, Benguet attended a livelihood training activity relative to the beneficial uses of different wastes mostly discharged along waterways on Thursday, April 11 at Camp 7 Barangay Hall.

The livelihood training was jointly initiated by the Community and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices of Baguio City and Benguet.

This is in support to the series of activities along Bued River relative to its protection and preservation by all concerned and line agencies and offices including private institutions.

Fernie Sitsit of EMB-CAR lectured and presented photos on how the community members can turn wastes into money including sustainable livelihood that can help their families.

She said that pet bottles, straw, plastic cups, old clothes, old magazines, newspapers and other materials can turn into many beneficial products such as flower vases, pathways, eco bricks, floor mats, bags, slippers and other long term products.

Sitsit reminded the participants that they can still sell the empty materials even only for a small value if they cannot reduce its use.

She added that different skills can be learned by individuals as long as they have the heart to continue learning and earning even if they still have other jobs.

Proper packaging and marketing of finished products is an advantage also for entrepreneurs partnering with the Department of Trade and Industry and other concerned line agencies including business establishments local and overseas.

“It is better to avoid or reduce the use of those materials because in the end they will become problems of the environment as well as the local government units if we know that there are no more benefits anymore after we have used or consumed it,” Sitsit said.

Cherry Mae Vicente from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturists of Benguet has lectured also on the proper use of biodegradable materials like fruits and vegetables into fertilizers for plants.

Vicente said that “instead of throwing biodegradable wastes along waterways, why not use it as fertilizers in order for plants to grow healthier?”

She demonstrated the proper ways of composting by showing photos on screen. She added that farmers buy fertilizers from the market, but if they know what they are doing, they can save money out of their knowledge and skill.

Instead of discharging hog manure along waterways, those could be used as fertilizers when dried and mixed with soil and used for plants.

ABN/Ian Jefrey Addatu