Reg'l ecology center to make solid waste mgt more effective
Engr. Samson Guillergan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that the establishment of the Regional Ecology Center in Iloilo is a support mechanism that is expected to make implementation of Solid Waste Management Law effective.
Guillergan said that the coming together of coordinating offices and organizations as a team for the Ecology Center operation is an act that can boost local government compliance of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
Jeanette Sapilan, OIC Chief of the Solid Waste management Unit, Environment Management Bureau (EMB), DENR, noted that LGU compliance of RA 9003, since it became a law six years ago, has been hampered by so many factors, even as the LGUs are supposed to be front liners on this.
While it is true that many have formulated their Solid Waste Management Plan, only a few have accepted it fully, while mandatory segregation at source has been done, it is often on few pilot areas only, not LGU-wide, and while they have instituted controlled dumpsite, many are still operating open dump sites.
Ms. Sapilan said that this low compliance may be brought about by a low level of environmental literacy and awareness of the public on waste management such that they find it hard to cooperate with ordinances to that effect.
There is also the inadequate technical capabilities on the part of the LGUs to respond to the requirements and the indifference of the local officials as far as enforcement is concerned.
EMB Regional Director Bienvenido Lipayon said that this situation necessitates the creation of a Regional Ecology Center which is aimed at providing consulting, information, training and networking services for the LGUs and the general public.
As a support mechanism to RA 9003, the regional Ecology Center shall primarily make information, technologies and other IEC materials accessible to the public and shall serve as a network for exchange and application of available information and technologies.
For Western Visayas, the center will be at the EMB Building in Parola, Iloilo City.
During the initial meeting of the group convened by the EMB, the different agencies presented their commitments in making the Ecology Center responsive in terms of information and services. These agencies include the DENR, DILG, DOST, DPWH, DOH, DTI, DA, TESDA, PIA, DepED, UPV, WVCST, Pollution Control Association of the Philippines and the representatives from the GTZ-AHT SWM4LGUs.
(PIA 6/ESS)