Cecile M. Genove

'Since we are all stewards of God's creation, we should likewise take care of our environment…the endeavor is really an opportunity for growth, instead of a burden.'

It was an eventful two-day training for some 40 community organizers and public information officers, as well as selected members of the Environment and Natural Resources Division provincial office of Negros Oriental, on improving their communication skills specifically for the purpose of creating awareness and disseminating information on integrated solid waste management. Held recently at El Oriente Beach Resort in Mangnao, Dumaguete City, the trainers' training was part of the capability enhancement of provincial and local staff in solid waste management, a joint project of the province of Negros Oriental, the European Union, and the Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung gGmbH or the Capacity Building International in Germany.

The training started with the setting of expectations by the participants who expressed what they expected to happen in the next two days, what they expected from the resource person/lecturer, as well as what they can contribute towards the success of the training.

The first lecture underscored the importance of establishing a so-called Professional Code of Ethical Standards essentially for those in the profession as agents of change. Corollary to this is the knowledge on the implementation of the Principles of Clear Effective Communication, focusing on the written aspect of communication.

To gauge the skills of the participants, some diagnostic exercises were given to them, most especially to test their grammar. The exercises were not meant to ridicule anyone who may not have reached the minimum score, but rather to find out some of their weak points, in the process improving themselves. Some participants were able to score more than what was asked for, while others welcomed their below-the-minimum scores as a sort of wake-up call to further improve their skills.

Because their job as community organizers, public information officers, and members of the Solid Waste Management-Education Committee of the various local government units entails both written and oral communication, the participants were also informed of the reasons why many speakers - both professional and amateur - experience speech anxiety or stage fright, as it is commonly called. It helped that together, they were able to identify the fears facing any public speaker, and how to overcome them.

While it is common knowledge that not all localities possess the amenities of modern living (like electricity, access to computers, accessibility, and the like), the training also included tips on how to prepare powerful, effective powerpoint presentations based on the latest guidelines formulated by the Asian Development Bank. The participants likewise thought it would be to their best advantage if they gained ideas on how to use computer technology as a tool in enriching their job as frontliners.

Before the first day was over, instructions were given to the participants on how to go about the application workshops the following day. Through role play and actual simulated demonstrations, everyone would be able to learn from one another. The participants did their preparations by initially soliciting each other's ideas over dinner, extending their animated discussions late into the night.

The second and last day of the training was equally as comprehensive and interesting both to the participants, the resource person/facilitator, and the documentors. It started with a recapitulation of what transpired the previous day, thereby ensuring that everyone digested the day's discussion and activities. A lecture on how to prepare a progress report followed, which the participants found very useful inasmuch as they write many types of reports in the course of fulfilling their jobs.

The workshops were a combination of creativity, talent, and some surprises. Despite the rigorous schedule that the participants keep in their respective localities, they were able to combine work and pleasure, finding meaning in every simple deed or word of acknowledgment accorded to them.

The impressions shared by the participants as part of the evaluation of the training were humbling and inspiring. In a way, the two-day training somehow made them realize the significance of their role as change agents.

Some suggested ways to make the dissemination of information more interesting, as well as enrich the awareness of the public on integrated solid waste management are the following: a) community theater; b) newsletters; c) pamphlets; d) radio spots; e) TV talk show; f) TV drama; g) posters; h) person-to-person communication (through the Department of Education and barangay assemblies); i) news/feature releases; and, j) environmental communication lecture-discussions.

The presence of Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz on the last day of the training somehow boosted the participants' morale as they seriously implement what has been mandated in R.A. 9003, otherwise known as the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

The Act specifies the advantages of recycling and reusing our wastes or, at the very least, the reduction of wastes at source. It also provides for the creation of a Solid Waste Management Board for every town or municipality, as well as the creation of a Barangay Solid Waste Management Committee. Strict sanctions are provided for the violators of the Act; moreover, the leaders in government are held accountable for the observance of the Act and failure to do so would mean either a fine or suffer the consequences of being in jail.

The governor exhorted the participants to continue what they have started and never to lose heart or hope, even if the going gets rough.

A similar sentiment was echoed by Mercy Teves, head of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the province, who said in her closing remarks that since we are all stewards of God's creation, we should likewise take care of our environment. She said that the endeavor is really an opportunity for growth, instead of a burden.

With a coverage of 25 local government units all over the province, the task would seem to be endless. Another series of trainings and workshops are going to be held this month specifically for the production of information-education-communication materials.

With the effort expended by this core group, many are praying that they would see the day when people start consciously to pay some attention to their wastes and garbage.

"We'd like to bring this through a successful end. If you are willing to travel the road with us, just brace yourself for the bumps and humps. Definitely, it's going to be rough roads ahead," concluded Teves.

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