The Provincial Solid Waste Management Board (PSWMB) and its Technical Working Group (TWG) under the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENARO), led by Acting ENR Officer Arlene S. Tarranco, held their regular meeting at the NV Livelihood and Pasalubong Center, Bayombong on December 10, 2025.
Forester Genita P. Dulnuan presented the Annual Accomplishment Report for 2025, highlighting major achievements including the monitoring of sanitary landfills, establishment compliance checks, and water quality assessments across the province. She also reported the conduct of Hazardous Waste Management and Enforcement trainings on solid waste management, along with a recap of the National Environmental Awareness and Education Month, which featured three key competitions such as “Pasiklaban sa Proyektong Makakalikasan”, “Sayawit Para Sa Kalikasan”, and Search for Makakalikasang Barangay”, all focused at promoting environmental protection and community engagement.
Tarranco encouraged members to submit proposals for the 2026 Annual Investment Plan (AIP) to sustain and expand environmental initiatives. In the open forum, Engr. Frederick D. Lannu of Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) suggested securing a document affirming Nueva Vizcaya as a watershed haven to bolster local environmental planning, while Forester Melvin M. Grospe of Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) – Dupax del Sur inquired about ways to help barangays improve their performance in the Search for Makakalikasang Barangay.
Following the PSWMB-TWG meeting, the MENROs convened to discuss concerns tied to sand and gravel operations, including the processing of gratuitous and commercial permits, hectare rates concern, and the issuance of provisional quarry permits. Engr. Ronaldo E. Dumondon of MENRO- Diadi raised a common concern among MENROs that contractors often reach quarry areas ahead of LGUs, making it difficult for local governments to properly secure and manage these sites. In response, Tarranco noted that while contractors cannot be barred from pursuing their business operations, the province may request that LGUs be given priority in securing designated quarry areas to ensure better monitoring and compliance.
Other matters discussed included the proposed development of multi-purpose building as housing for Plastic Recycling Factory, which is provided by Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), located at Provincial Ecology Center (PEC), Macate, Bambang.
The meeting ended with a shared commitment to reinforce environmental programs and deepen coordination among LGUs. Members agreed that working closely together will help them better address waste management issues and manage quarry activities in the province. #jmcb
[This article was initially created on Facebook – Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya. For PGNV updates, visit: https://www.facebook.com/vizcayareporter]
