“Greens” elated over Naga City’s Waste Reduction Measures for weeklong Peñafrancia Festival

About a million visitors will converge in Naga City, Camarines Sur, for the week-long Penafrancia Festival, a religious and socio-cultural event in September that features a fluvial procession along the Naga River, marking the climactic phase of the week-long celebration.

Among these massive turn-out of visitors and residents activities are the spill out of garbage and solid waste, which City authorities estimate to reach 250 tons a day, up from the usual 95 tons daily trash output.

The Earth Island Institute Philippines applauded the resolution of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga to cut down on wastes during the Peñafrancia Festival this September 2022.

The Naga City legislative body passed SP Resolution No. 2022-0940, or “A Resolution Promoting Environmental Responsibility in the Celebration of the 2022 Peñafrancia Fiesta by Reinforcing Waste Reduction Measures and Urging the Collaborative Commitment of the City Government of Naga, the Archdiocese of Caceres, Business Sector, Academe and Civil Society Groups in the City of Naga”.

The green group applauded the city resolution as “a radical move to reduce festival waste through LGU mobilization, educating the public on the need to minimize and reduce waste, limiting the use of single-use plastics, consumer packaging, and decorations, and promoting reusables.”

The City Government encourages the participation not only of the local government units, but from all citizens and guests.

In a study by the Naga City Solid Waste Management Office, the week-long celebration of Peñafrancia generates an astounding 250 tons of garbage per day, a big leap from the usual 95 tons.

“We commend the members of the City Council led by the Hon. Ghiel G. Rosales, who authored this radical resolution, and the Local Government of Naga City led by the Hon. Mayor Nelson S. Legacion,” said Trixie Concepcion, Regional Coordinator of Earth Island Institute Asia-Pacific.

“With the increased amount of trash generated during the festival, this move by Naga City is both necessary and timely,” Concepcion said.

Earth Island Institute Philippines encourages other local government units across the country to adopt a similar approach, through a resolution or an ordinance if possible, and contribute to efforts in reducing waste generation.

“More than garbage collection systems, we must highlight the need for reducing waste which can be achieved through education, LGU policies, and people participation,” said Concepcion.