Various trainings were conducted in 2006 with expert personnel from the project partner EMB to upgrade their SWM skills and to assist the organizational development of SWM units within the EMB offices of regions VI, VII and VIII. In October 2006 a study tour to Germany has been undertaken. A group of 12 project partners from EMB and selected LGUs attend a disposal fair to learn about the latest technologies in the sector. They also visited a range of solid waste management facilities which were applying different technologies. Discussions with German authorities and experts have been used for intensive exchange not only about technical questions but also management and legal basis in the solid waste management sector.

Meanwhile, Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) have been negotiated and signed by the regional EMB offices and LGUs in Iloilo City, Passi City, Dumaguete City, Buenavista Municipality/Guimaras Province, and additionally since September 2006 Ormoc City, Maasin City, and Bayawan City. These MoUs clarify the responsibilities, inputs and targets of each party.

A variety of training has been conducted to enable knowledge transfer and to stimulate materials recovery. Composting, in particular, is encouraged at the household, barangay and LGU level. As a result, partner LGUs in Passi City, Dumaguete City and Buenavista Municipality have upgraded their waste segregation systems in public markets and town centers. Model composting projects have also been implemented and are being replicated by other barangays in Buenavista Municipality and Dumaguete City.

Two (2) municipalities decided to utilize the ongoing financial support through KfW-DBP for their targeted solid waste management improvements and especially for the establishment of new sanitary landfills. The LGUs in Iloilo City and Passi City were supported in conducting feasibility studies and in the preparation of loan applications.

For establishing a “feed back and learning process”, Participatory Result-Based Monitoring (PRBM) has been introduced and explained through various trainings provided to program partners.

Within the framework of expert networking, the annual conference of the Solid Waste Association of the Philippines was supported by the program (among other supporters). The conference took place on November 21-23, 2005 in Iloilo City under the banner: ORGANIC RECYCLING. The Municipality of Buenavista, a program partner, presented their new demonstration composting project during the conference. A main objective was to disseminate information, local experiences and lessons learned to interested LGUs with the intention that successful approaches will be replicated by other municipalities.