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DENR: Strong collab with SLF operators to improve PH solid waste management

STRONG collaboration with sanitaty landfill (SLF) operators is the key to improving the management of solid waste in the country.

This was stressed by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu saying they always extend a welcoming hand to sectors willing to work with them to solve the country’s problems, particularly those that concern the environment and natural resources.

Solid waste management is a concern for all Filipinos and anyone willing to do a good turn is appreciated,” Cimatu said.

Benny D. Antiporda, Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units (LGUs) Concerns, meanwhile said the members of the Solid Waste Management Service Providers have expressed their agreement to work more closely with the agency during the 3rd consultation meeting at the DENR Central Office in Quezon City on Jan. 22.

Antiporda said the pronouncement of the SLF operators to unite is a big step in doing their part to take care of the environment.

This is business on your part. But we want to be assured of that when you operate sanitary landfill, you are compliant,” Antiporda said.

During the consultation, Antiporda instructed the SLF operators to submit regular reports to the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to monitor the trash disposed by LGUs in their sanitary landfills.

By doing this, he said, the DENR will easily determine if the LGUs are still disposing their solid waste in open dumpsites, which is strictly prohibited under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

In this way, we will not just solve the solid waste management problem of the country but we will protect the environment for the benefit of the Filipino people,” Antiporda pointed out.

A total of 233 open dumpsites are still operating in the country. The most number of open dumpsites are in Western Visayas (48 dumpsites), MIMAROPA (35), Central Visayas (27), Bicol region (23), and Davao region (20).

Meanwhile, there are already 189 established sanitary landfills in the country. The top five regions with the highest number of sanitary landfills are in CALABARZON (36), followed by Cagayan Valley (35), Ilocos region (33), Northern Mindanao (18), and Central Visayas (15).