Aris’ EO expands PESWMB

membership, roles, TWG

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)— With an expanded power and membership, the now multi-sectoral inter-agency Bohol Provincial Ecological Solid Waste Management Board (PESWMB) chair governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado and co-chairs Jose Cleo Cary Colis and Francis Bernard Batoy expects a much wider girth to operationalize a more effective and efficient plan for sustainable development in an environment friendly Bohol.

This as governor Aumentado, through Executive Order No 38 series of 2025, reconstitutes the composition and expands the membership and functions of the Provincial Ecological Solid Waste Management Board and its Technical Working Group, through a signed order dated December 26, 2025.

Now composed of now composed town and city mayor, congressional districts representatives, heads of provincial offices, national government agencies (NGA) heads, the academe, non-government organizations, business and recycling industry representatives, PESWMB can altogether work in developing a PESWM plan based on the submitted municipal ESWM plans to assure of an integrated plan that complements which the whole province can implement.

This inclusive approach ensures that our waste management policies are grounded in the realities of the local economy and the recycling industry, SP Committee on Environment chair Board Member Jiselle Rae Villamor said.

By integrating the private sector and local junk shops directly into our planning, we are creating a more viable and sustainable circular economy for every Boholano, aligned with our strategic change agenda. Furthermore, these strengthened waste management protocols serve as a vital pillar in maintaining the UNESCO Global Geopark designation of the Province of Bohol, ensuring we preserve our unique geological heritage through responsible environmental stewardship, she added.

Supported by the a team as its working arm, the Board would be advised by the PESWM Technical Working Group (TWG) composed of the Environment Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), NGA heads of the departments of Education, local government, information, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Environmental protection and Natural Resources Chair, health, engineering, planning and development, environment management, youth development, general services, business, NGA, CENRO Tagbilaran and Talibon, and Alburquerque and Tagbilaran City waste management officers, based on the order.

Part of the TWG tasks is to obtain information and understand innovative practices of LGUS and Organizations, formulate strategic action programs based on multi-sectoral concensus, recommend actions, formulate timelines for key tasks to be undertaken, formulate enabling ordinances, develop promotional campaign plans, manage the conduct of trainings to capacitate itself and the Board and review the PESWM Plan to ensure its sustainability, viability , effectiveness and relevance to developments in the field of solid waste management, according to Environment Management Officer Jovencia Ganub.

The TWG can also review documents, monitor and evaluate the current provincial nd municipal practices, programs and policies to strengthen offices that can co-manage the program and manage technical trainings to enhance capabilities.

On the other hand, for the preservation of Bohol’s natural ecosystems, the PESWMB can recommend measures and safeguards against pollution, develop an appropriate incentive scheme as a strategic component of the provincial solid waste management plan, she added.

And while in Bohol, the organization of Metro Tagbilaran cluster of towns served by the Alburquerque Sanitary Landfill has become a model for solid waste management, the TWG is also tasked to facilitate the clustering of LGUS to craft solutions to their common solid waste management problems. (PIABohol)

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT. Just as Bohol reconstitutes its PESWMB and TWG, LGUs like Jagna continue to slowly manage its solid waste by recycling and manufacturing bricks from shredded bottles and glasses, which in turn, allow an LGU economic enterprise to start. (PIABohol)