Metro mayors violating solid waste management act?

The Philippine Bar Association (PBA) has threatened to sue Metro Manila mayors for their alleged failure to come up with an effective garbage collection and segregation system in compliance with the Solid Waste Management Act of 2001.

At least 10 local government units (LGUs) are being eyed for legal action including the city of Manila headed by Mayor Lito Atienza.

The PBA has reportedly sent notices to sue the 17 city and municipal chief executives of the National Capital Region (NCR).

Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. said Parañaque City was among the cities placed under tight watch along with Las Piñas, Pasay, Mandaluyong, Taguig, Malabon, Navotas, San Juan, Caloocan and Pateros.

Bernabe said no less than PBA president Linda Jimeno, who also chairs the group’s committee on environment, sent the notices to sue.

Jimeno allegedly gave Metro Manila mayors 30 days to comply with the solid waste management law and undertake corrective measures or lawsuits will be lodged.

In defense of Parañaque City, Bernabe, said he is not threatened by the legal notices and he even welcomes the move.

"This would give me an opportunity to show them how we’ve been handling solid waste management operations since July this year," he said in a statement.

Bernabe said he created the Solid Waste Management Board of Parañaque shortly after he assumed office in compliance with existing environmental laws.

The city government, he said has been very active in ensuring that long-term policies and programs on garbage collection and segregation are put in place.

"Parañaque was one of the first LGU in Metro Manila to implement a solid waste management program," he stressed.

Bernabe said the city has 34 garbage collection points in 16 barangays with enough private contractors and city-owned dump trucks operating.