MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued final notices to local government units (LGUs) nationwide that continue to operate open and controlled dumps, in violation of Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said they have issued 435 final notices and is now asking the help of the Office of the Ombudsman to intervene and make these LGUs accountable.
He noted that RA 9003 set the deadline for the closure of all open and controlled dumps in 2004.
Paje said the issuance of final notices is “a step closer” to filing administrative charges against non-compliant LGU officials under RA 7160 or the Local Government Code, and send out a signal to those who continue to ignore the risks to their own constituents’ health and property.
He said the DENR also linked up with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to put to task LGUs in addressing the garbage problem in their respective localities.
“We are already working closely with DILG and the Ombudsman to resolve this issue of law, if not non-compliance of local chief executives, to the requirements of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act,” Paje said.
“Secretary Robredo has, in fact, issued already a memorandum to all local chief executives and Sangguniang president officers and members to observe the enforcement and implementation of RA 9003, warning them that failure to comply shall subject the officials to administrative sanctions,” he said.
He said the DENR has also written Mindoro Gov. Aldonso Umali Jr. of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, and all the country’s governors, requesting that they provide the necessary assistance to LGUs to enable them to comply, on the safe closure and rehabilitation of its open and controlled disposal facilities, as well as their final disposal facilities/technologies.
Paje reminded governors of their responsibility in putting up a Provincial Solid Waste Management Board whose functions include developing and implementing a provincial solid waste management plan; providing logistical and operational support to LGUs within their jurisdiction; recommending measures and safeguards against pollution as well as fund generation; and coming up with solutions to identified solid waste management problems.