Only 5 LGUs in CV comply with Solid Waste Mgt Act

CEBU, Philippines - Out of 132 local government units in Central Visayas mandated to construct their own landfills, only five of them are complying with Republic Act 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000”.

RA 9003, after its passage, allowed the use of open dumping for eight years which had already expired in 2005.

Immediately after the expiration, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has imposed the three strikes policy which monitors and implements warnings on cities and municipalities that still adopt the open garbage dumping.

In Region 7, the first strike was issued in all cities and municipalities last year. Yet since then, most LGUs responded with neglect according to Environmental Management Bureau Regional Solid Waste Management coordinator Amancio Dongcoy.

There are only five constructed landfills in the whole region out of the 132 LGUs expected to build their own. Compliant LGUs are Dumaguete City, Cebu City and Sta. Fe in Bantayan Island; Bayawan in Oriental Negros, and Alburquerque in Bohol.

Dongcoy said that the second strike notice will come out soon this year from the DENR central office.

After the third strike warning is given and the LGUs take no further action, the DENR will issue the recommendation to file administrative case at the Department of Interior and Local Government which will be the one to impose sanctions for violation of RA 9003.

Dongcoy also said that open dump sites is already illegal under RA 9003. LGUs are urged to comply immediately to avoid penalties.

He complained that non-compliant LGUs are doing everything to extend their use of open dump sites. Most excuses are the lack of site determined qualified for construction of landfill.

EMB shortly allows the extension of open dump sites if the LGU will be able to manage their waste in such a way that it will not contribute to the pollution problem.

Further, Dongcoy said that their office is not receiving any application for the conversion of open dump sites to landfills.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 regional director Roger de Dios said that they have not received any request for geological survey and assessment for possible landfill site.

EMB continues monitoring open dump sites in the whole region and just recently warned the municipality of Minglanilla for having one of the worst dump sites in Region 7.

Dongcoy reported that the garbage from the dump site located in barangay Cadulawan has already reached the creek that leads to a river. – Jessica Ann R. Pareja/MEEV   (THE FREEMAN)