Iloilo city: The local government, through the General Services Office (GSO) in partnership with Central Philippine University (CPU), is undertaking an online and real-time monitoring of wastes in barangays focusing on diversion and segregation. 'Our main purpose is to develop the idea and the mindset that we should practice waste diversion and segregate [them] from the source,' GSO head Engineer Neil Ravena said in a media interview on Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, CPU has already installed a program at the GSO, and Barangays Bakhaw, Buntatala, and East Baluarte are already connected online for the initiative. The monitoring will cover the city's 180 barangays, with an initial batch comprising 18 barangays. Each barangay will be provided with a tablet that is connected to the program for the submission of reports, including sales, if any.

"It is part of the self-monitoring report that will be submitted to the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources)," Ravena said, adding that the DENR could call the barangay's attention if it fails to practice waste diversion and segregation. For the first few months, ground monitoring personnel will be deployed to assist the barangays.

Ravena mentioned that the target percentage for the diversion of waste generated daily is stipulated in the Barangay Development Plan and Solid Waste Management Plan. 'We will facilitate what they can do to improve their waste diversion and targets, and help them attain what is in their Solid Waste Management Plan,' he said. The Solid Waste Management Plan of Iloilo City targets the waste diversion to start at 30 percent and increase it to 50 percent in 10 years.

The outcome of the monitoring will determine the intervention needed, if any, for a particular barangay, Ravena said.