EMB: Waste management starts in households, LGUs

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/911491890959/emb-waste-management-starts-in-households-lgus
• Thursday, April 13, 2017

(JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA)— Households are among those generating huge amount of solid waste, hence, waste management should begin there, according to the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

In a radio interview, EMB-6 Director Ariel Gloria said the barangays and the households should begin to manage solid waste with the establishment of the material recovery facilities.

“These facilities are supposed to receive, sort out and process the solid wastes,” Gloria said, adding that the municipalities are just receiving the residuals.

“But what happens is that, mixed garbage go to the dumpsite, as the city or municipality do not also segregate,” Gloria added.

He said that Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act, provides that waste management should begin at source, under the management of the LGUs. Gloria also said that the DENR-EMB has not been remiss in reminding local chief executives about their responsibility under the law and they were given technical assistance on the establishment of the MRF and the sanitary landfill.

On the concern that establishing and managing MRFs are expensive, Gloria said the law was enacted in 2000 yet and the LGUs could have already put into effect their land use plan and have allocated funds.

“I have learned from some local chief executives that environment is the last priority in their development land,” Gloria said.

“These LGUs are warned that non-compliance of the Solid Waste Management Law will hold them criminally liable, especially in operating open dumpsites,” Gloria added.

The EMB chief said the bureau is willing to render technical assistance to LGUs in establishing MRFs and sanitary landfills.