LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Gov. Victor Agbayani congratulated the residents and community leaders of Barangay Lucero in Bolinao headed by barangay captain Domingo del Fierro for being the national finalist in the 2^nd Nationwide Search for Model Barangays for Eco-Waste Management System.

Regional Director Victor Ancheta of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources told the governor that Barangay Lucero made it to the national competition.

Ancheta said Barangay Lucero shall be competing against 14 regional finalists form other parts of the country.

The other regional entries competing in the national level are barangays Poblacion, Caba, La Union; and Lingsat, San Fernando City, La Union.

Gov. Agbayani expressed optimism that the province of Pangasinan has the big chance of getting another national award even as he pointed out that almost all towns and cities have already complied with the RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 based on the provincial solid waste management plan.

It can be recalled that barangay Bued in Calasiao placed fourth in the 2003 nationwide search for Model Barangays for Eco Waste Management System and received a plaque of recognition and a P100,000 cash prize. It also received a min-dump truck from the governor as its incentive.

Ancheta said that all competing barangays have been categorized into five levels based on their internal revenue allotment (IRA). Barangays with annual IRA of below P500,000 belongs to Group A; GroupB – P500,001 to P600,000;  Group C – P6001 to 700,000; Group D – P7001 to 900,000 and Group E – P900,000 and above.

Each national winner will receive P1 million.

Other distinction shall also be given to municipalities, cities, and provinces with outstanding programs on eco-waste management such as Best Over-all Ecological Solid Waste Management program, Best practices in Bio-Waste Management, Recycling and Residual Management.

The Material Recovery Facility of the Capitol Solid Waste Management program put up by the governor shall be receiving a special award, according to Rowena dela Cruz, MRF manager.

The national awarding ceremony will be held in April. (PIO/Merly T. Tibalao)