There's a connection between health, environment, livelihood, and citizens. These are pillars that play a significant role in building a healthy community for all. We are responsible for things through our actions, especially what we contribute to the environment. The people will possibly perish because of this wrongful action; because of being irresponsible that will shoulder and burden the next generation. The problem of Barangay Bambang is the problem of all barangays in every municipality, city, and province in the Philippines and other countries in the world. We struggled for a long time that has no access to a regular collection of garbage in our barangay. The result of this action is improper disposal of waste. Irresponsible citizens started dumping their trash in the rivers of Barangay Bambang without considering the risk of their activity in the lives of inhabitants of Barangay Bambang. The garbage contains harmful substances not only harmful to the people but having a huge impact on the livelihood and environment of the people. As I mentioned in my proposal, one of the major components of this final report will be to focus on livelihoods and the environment. While brainstorming about the content for my final report, I encountered some workers in the field and I saw that despite the circumstances of their livelihood, they are happy and contented in the simple life that they have. The major industry here in Barangay Bambang is farming and aquaculture. But, one thing that caught my attention was the massive pile of garbage that is close to the agricultural lands and streams which supplies water from the grains that we are buying in the market. Because of it, I created the concept of how this garbage affects our lives concerning different factors: health, livelihood, and environment. As a future defender of workers, I see myself as one with their struggles because of having a huge contribution to our economy. Without fishermen and farmers, or workers, the people as consumers will suffer in hunger. Now, if agricultural lands and fishponds are contaminated because of the water that is essential for them to live, what shall we do now?
Because of the limited connection with the respondents, I reached them via Messenger chat, the platform where I connect with my respondents. I also mentioned in my proposal, that four random respondents will be asked open-ended questions in this final report that they will answer in chat. I also consider a live chat with the respondents for those available and willing to share an experience. The purpose of this survey is to determine the knowledge and awareness of the people of the community about improper waste disposal, which affects three major components: livelihood, health, and the environment.
Figure No. 1 The Respondent’s Table of Responses
Figure No. 2 The Respondent's Profile
Mr. Noel Briones, a farmer of Barangay Bambang shared his experience and sentiments as I conduct and consider a face-to-face interview, together with the chat through Messenger with him, he said “Mahirap ang maging mahirap, kailangan mong kumayod para may mapakain lang sa mga apo at pamilya.”
He also shared his experience working in fields, “Alam mo, noon masarap ang magtanim, dahil pagsapit ng anihan ay maraming maibebenta sa bayan. Ngayon, yung mga lupa, hindi na katulad ng dati. Ang linis mula sa mga irrigation noon ay hindi tulad ngayon. Hindi na rin makapagtanim dahil madaling mamatay na ang mga palay sa panahon ngayon sa uri ng lupa na mayroon tayo” A student from Bulacan State University – Meneses Campus, BS Education, Charles Magtaka shares also his insights via video call in Messenger, he said “Hindi lang talaga problema yan ng ating mga sakahan pati rin ang mga resources natin sa tubig ay siyang napektuhan din. Karapat-dapat lang na magakroon ng batas na kung saan may mahigpit na ipapatupad ang tamang pagtapon ng basura at sapat na edukasyon para sa lahat patungkol dito sa problemang ito”
Barangay Kagawad of Barangay Bambang Terersita "Tessie" Magpayo, shares her contribution as the Chair of the Public Works, Sanitary and Management of Sangguniang Barangay ng Bambang “Mga hakbangin na nagawa bilang Kagawad ay ang pagpapalinis sa pakikipagtulungan sa mga mangagawa ng bukid sa mga kanal na dalyuan ng tubig na nababarahan ng mga basura”
A student also from Bulacan State University – Meneses Campus, BA Education, shares her sentiments about improper waste disposal that affects by contamination of crops, “Dapat maisayos ang pagtatapon ng basura sa tamang paraan, hindi lang naman ang gobyerno ang may problema dito, isa na rin tayo sa problema, dapat isayos ang problema sa basura sa tamang pagpopondo sa paglilinis at monitoring sa mga illegal na gagawa ng maling pagdispose ng basura. Upang maibalik sa tao ang kanilang mga hanapbuhay”
The problem of people about contamination of crops because of waste is a serious callout for the government to act on the situation of workers regarding the environment that is important for their occupation. We also need to reflect on our shortcomings regarding this matter. We need to encourage discipline and transparency as the role model of our society. It is not too late for us to change for the sake of our environment, to protect and to care because of what we benefit from it. We need to help each other to overcome this problem of improper waste disposal together with workers, professionals, students, and ordinary citizens for our one ultimate goal for the sake of our future and humanity.
Comments