Four women recount the challenges of starting a solid waste management program in their community

by Gertrudes C. Samson

Every other day from 7am to 11am, four women wearing white long-sleeved shirts and buri hats push a cart around a community in Tanza Navotas, collecting segregated waste, sweeping litter, and reminding the people about the policies for solid waste management in the area. They are Wenifreda “Nanay Weyne” C. Arabes, 60, Fedelina “Nanay Lyn” Pales, 57, Violeta “Ate Violy” O. Balse, 49, and Lanie “Jeng-Jeng” Eleoterio, 26. Together they compose the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Committee of the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Maralita ng Navotas (SANAGMANA) community in Tanza, Navotas. Nanay Weyne heads the committee. Read more »