Barangays have only 3 months to implement solid waste

CEBU, Philippines – Environmental lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos said all barangay captains in Cebu City have only until March of next year to implement the Solid Waste Management in their respective barangays under the Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

"We are really serious on this problem, the city government this month will be sending notice to sue and the barangays should implement the law. Three months will be enough to evaluate our barangays if they are implementing the Republic Act 9003," Ramos told barangay captains during the Barangay Orientation on Solid Waste Management and Memorandum of Agreement signing in Alta Vista Resort in Cordova, Cebu over the weekend.

Ramos stressed that the law has long been overdue but the local government units have not adopted a concrete, systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program by protecting the health and environment.

She reminded the barangay officials of their functions in the solid waste reduction by composting, recycling, re-use and recovery.

The barangay officials, she added, should also help ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste.

If the plan of Integrated Bar of the Philippines pushes through, Ramos said the barangay captains and its council will face charges in court for violating the law.

Also, during the forum, Ramos reminded the Cebu City government of its 10-year Solid Waste Management plan, which it failed to submit until now.

Cebu City Councilor Nida Cabrera, who chairs the Committee on Environment of the City Council said that they have not submitted yet their 10-year plan.

But she added they will submit it as soon as possible to avoid being sued by the IBP.

The activity ended with the signing of memorandum of agreement between Mayor Michael Rama and the barangay captains.

Under the agreement, the barangays shall actively participate in the solid waste management board activities and shall make sure that the committees shall be in place by the end of the year 2010.

The output includes the Material Recovery Facilities, composting areas, garden areas and receptacles.

The city government will provide financial aid of P20,000 as starting fund for the solid waste management project. (FREEMAN)