DENR warns LGUs operating open dumpsites
The National Solid Waste Management Environmental Commission of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is warning all concerned local government units (LGUs) to fast-track the implementation of their solid waste management program as the agency is now in the process of finalizing the list of candidates for the final notice pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
NSWMC Executive Director Gerardo Calderon sent a list of candidates for the third strike policy as early as September 30, 2009 to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) for confirmation.
Calderon explained that the third strike notice is the final warning issued by the NSWMC for those non-compliant with Section 37 as mandated under RA 9003.
“These notices will be addressed to local government units (LGU) that have failed to fully implement the mandates of RA 9003,” he stressed.
Section 37 of RA 9003 provides that “no open dumpsites shall be established and operated, nor any practice or disposal of solid waste by any person including LGUs, which constitute the use of open dumps for solid waste, be allowed after the effectivity of this Act provided, that within three years after the effectivity of this Act, every LGU shall convert its open dumps into controlled dumps, in accordance with the guidelines set in Section 41 of this Act (and) provided further, that no controlled dumps shall be allowed five years following the effectivity of (said) Act.”
The list of candidates for the final notice include some 600 cities and municipalities
Meanwhile, Calderon clarified that the list is still subject to EMB’s final approval as the agency is currently finalizing the list of non-complying LGUs that will be recommended for administrative prosecution before the Department of Interior and Local Government while the listed LGUs are also subject for criminal action in line with the enforcement of the penalties stated under Section 49 of RA 9003.
Moreover, the warning letters to be issued to the concerned LGUs include details and particulars of the violation including the location, sanctions for non-compliance after the issuance of the warning letter and the contact person at the EMB regional office for technical assistance.
Calderon made it clear, however, the DENR had been extending technical assistance to the LGUs so that they can fully comply with the requirements of said law.
The NSWMC is set to distribute the final notice amongst those in the list after the EMB completes its confirmation report. (PNA)
