LGU Sudipen and DMMMSU through the Institute of Environmental Studies (IES) signed a Memorandum of Agreement, today, June 6, 2022,  for the implementation of “Professor in the Barangay: Sustainable Community-Based Waste Management System in Sudipen, La Union.”

This partnership aims to provide technical assistance on ecological solid waste management (ESWM) to the local government unit of Sudipen. Professors from the Institute will conduct learning sessions on solid waste management to the communities to capacitate their Barangay Solid Waste Management Committee (BSWMC), Barangay Officials and other stakeholders. Further, learning sessions will also be conducted to the learners of various schools.

Since 2017, the Institute has been actively providing technical assistance to Sudipen. The Institute extended assistance for the review and updating of their 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plan mandated by RA 9003 and the same was approved by the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) on December 2018. Mentoring sessions on SWM were also implemented in all barangays and selected schools. With the assistance of the Institute, Brgy. Brgy Poblacion, Sudipen won as the Best Implementer for Segregation-at-Source during the Regional Search for Model Barangay on Solid Waste Management Implementation under Category C (4th-6th Class Municipality) awarded by DENR Environmental Management Bureau Regional Office 1 on December 13, 2019.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Jaime Ipac Manuel Jr. , President of DMMMSU, and Hon. Wendy Joy D. Buquing, Municipal Mayor of Sudipen.  The MOA signing was witnessed by Ms. Susan O. Natividad, Sudipen Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator; Dr. Junifer Rey E. Tabafunda, NLUC Chancellor; Dr. Violeta Flores Collado , NLUC Extension Head; Prof. Desiree Alagna Vilar , IES Director; Ms. Alyana Dawn Febrero – Almoite , IES Faculty Member; and Mr. Celso Jucutan , IES Extension Facilitator. (CHJ)