42 barangays in Cebu violate Solid Waste Management Act

CEBU, Philippines - Forty-two barangays from 34 local government units in Cebu remain non-compliant to the provisions of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001, the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said.

The 42 barangays in Cebu are in the municipalities of Alcantara, Alegria, Aloguinsan, Argao, Asturias, Badian, Balamban, Bogo, Boljoon, Borbon, Carcar City, Carmen, Catmon, Daanbantayan, Danao City, Dumanjug, Lilo-an, Madridejos, Medellin, Minglanilla, Naga City, Oslob, Pilar, Pinamungahan, Samboan, San Fernando, San Francisco, San Remegio, Santa Fe, Santander, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Tuburan and Tudela.

In a memorandum issued by EMB Director Julian Amador, the local government units are now candidates of the “three-strike policy,” or the LGU’s that have been issued two notices for continued violation of the law.

Aside from the barangays in Cebu, 25 barangays in Bohol, 21 in Negros Oriental, and three in Siquijor are also considered candidates in the “three-strike policy.”

The three-strike policy of the DENR and the National Solid Waste Management Commission was implemented to discipline LGUs that do not comply with Republic Act 9003.

RA 9003 aims to phase out open dumpsites in favor of sanitary landfills, which eventually must also be phased out. The law orders the establishment of materials recovery facilities (MRF) that enables recyclable materials to be sorted from garbage.

Under the three-strike policy, administrative charges will be filed against the LGUs that continue to violate the law by failing to heed the third notice sent by DENR.

The list was created based on the reports submitted by the EMB-7 to the National Solid Waste Management Commission. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO    (FREEMAN NEWS)