WSMP was implemented in February of this year and has proven to be an effective and environmentally friendly program.
According to Keizy Kuroda, WSMP supervisor, the success of the program is due in great part to the support it has received from Ngarchelong State Governor Browny Salvador, residents of the state, Environmental Quality Protection Board, JICA, and the recycling businesses in Koror – particularly Sam Masang’s Belau Scrap Company.“The program could not have been as successful as it is today without the full support of Governor Salvador, the state government, participating agencies, and the residents of the state,” he said. “The program would not have lasted a week without these people.”Kuroda said the WSMP is a four-man operation that covers all the residences, government buildings, and often-visited areas of the states – the docks and easily accessible historical sites.According to Kuroda, program has allowed for residents to sell approximately 25 percent of the waste collected all the collected waste to recycling businesses.“The support of the recycling business has significantly been a factor in the number of waste items that is being placed in the landfill,” Kuroda said. “In addition, the prospect of making a little money out of waste items has prompted residents to be more diligent in segregating their household waste.”The program was implemented to coincide with the opening of the state’s pilot project landfill.Kuroda said that WSMP has recently put the first soil covering of the non-recyclable waste at the landfill; and would soon begin to place collected waste on top of it. Further, as soon as the enough waste is placed in the landfill, the process is repeated again.Kuroda further added that WSMP has been keeping track of residential waste management in the state and has compiled a list of the people who have kept with the requirements of the program.According to the program’s records, the following people should be recognized for their effort and support of the program: Miner Tekriu, Haruo Salvador, Evans Imetengel, Immanuel Maldangsang, Inaria Dou, Governor Browny Salvador, Sabina Ewatel, James Ultirakl, Kalistus Wasisang, and Henry Ewatel.“These are the people who have not failed to follow the program’s requirements since its implementation,” Kuroda said. “However, all of the residents of the state are to be commended for contributing significantly to the success of the program.”Moreover, Kuroda commends the WSMP officers, Einer Kebekol, Leslie Ngiramolau, and Matsuda Kloulechad, for their effort in performing the tasks necessary to keep the program running.“We have a very limited amount of equipments and tools,” he said, “But these three officers have managed to do with the little we have.”Kuroda continues to ask the residents and visitors to the state to be mindful of their waste and to use the waste bins that have been distributed through out the state.“The state is almost litter free,” he said. “We hope, with the help of everyone, to rid the state of all unsightly waste items. In the process, we would maintain a healthful environment.”
