Barangays, SK execs told: Strictly enforce environmental laws

CEBU, Philippines — A waste and pollution watch group has called on barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to strictly enforce the provisions of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

The Ecowaste Coalition made the call in time for the 44th commemoration of the World Environment Day on June 5.

Established in 1974, World Environment Day is celebrated in more than 100 countries and is widely regarded as the people's day for doing something to take care of the Earth.

Aileen Lucero, the coalition's national coordinator, said barangay and SK officials should help reduce garbage volume and mitigate pollution in their respective areas by putting more teeth into the 17-year-old environmental law.

"We, therefore, urge our barangay and SK leaders-elect to put the genuine implementation of RA 9003 at the centerpiece of their environmental and health programs, which also has the potential of creating recycling-based livelihoods and enterprises," Lucero said.

The country has 42,044 barangays.

The newly-elected barangay and SK officials of these villages are set to assume office on June 30.

Lucero said the barangay and youth leaders can start by conducting an evaluation of their existing solid waste management plans.

She said the law requires a comprehensive and ecological approach to managing municipal solid waste through waste prevention, reduction, source separation, recycling and composting, and excluding waste incineration, among others.

The barangay, which is the frontline of the government, is required under RA 9003 to develop an ecological solid waste management program, promote waste segregation, implement a segregated collection for biodegradable and non-biodegradable discards, and set up materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in every barangay or cluster of barangays.

Currently, the coalition, in a statement, said only 8,807 MRFs have been established servicing only 10,745 barangays based on the data from the National Solid Waste Management Commission.

MRFs, Lucero said, can help a lot in promoting ecological awareness and responsibility among waste generators, and in facilitating the efficient and environmentally sound sorting, processing, and storage of compostable and recyclable discards, such as papers, plastics, and metals.

Also, Lucero said the barangays have a crucial job in ensuring strict compliance with acts prohibited and punishable under RA 9003, including littering, open dumping, and open burning. — KBQ (FREEMAN)