As the adage goes, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
This near-sighted Ibaloy writer believes that we, Filipinos, are among the cleanest people in the world when it comes to personal hygiene since most take a bath or shower at least once a day and even more for those in the lowlands. This is assuming that water is available, of course.
When it comes to the cleanliness of our environment, however, it’s a sadly totally different story. Many of us seem to have the penchant of disposing our trash anywhere and do not practice proper waste segregation despite frequent reminders from authorities to do so. Even in choosing our leaders, it seems that many choose those that are fit for the garbage heap. Just kidding. Peace.
Anyway, Mayor Benjie Magalong claimed that after conducting a pre-test on a survey instrument and a successful rollout, it turns out that many residents want to help the city government in improving garbage collection and disposition, including their high willingness to pay.
He said the amount that those surveyed are willing to pay is P10 per 10 kilos of garbage and an additional P5 of every kilo above 10 kilos. The scheme just has to be discussed with barangay officials on who will weigh and collect the garbage in their respective areas since a percentage of the collected fees will go to the barangays, the mayor said.
Magalong said the plan will eventually teach people to segregate and even recycle their garbage because unsegregated garbage is heavier and therefore more expensive.
The mayor said he is currently talking with city council members regarding the proposed garbage scheme being crafted into an ordinance. He stressed the scheme is brought about by a study using empirical data including a survey on the people’s willingness to pay. He added while almost 80 percent of those surveyed are willing to pay, the rest are amenable to do one to three hours of community service instead. Cheers!
Here’s“No man is an island” by John Donne: “No man is an island,/ Entire of itself,/ Every man is a piece of the continent,/ A part of the main./ If a clod be washed away by the sea,/ Europe is the less./ As well as if a promontory were./ As well as if a manor of thy friend’s/ Or of thine own were:/ Any man’s death diminishes me,/ Because I am involved in mankind,/ And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;/ It tolls for thee.”
Let’s end with a prayer: “Father, we thank you for your abundant mercy and grace toward us. We honor you this day as we gather together in a family full of gratitude. We thank you for your bountiful provisions. We ask that you equip and encourage us to serve others who are in need. May we be good stewards of your creation and of all our talents and blessings. We proclaim glory and honor to you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.”
