DENR seals partnership with LGUs for stronger implementation of solid waste management law
- Published on Wednesday, 17 August 2011 12:57
- Category: National
QUEZON CITY, August 16 (PIA) -- In an effort to address environmental problems in Metro Manila and effect greater public compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje vowed to strengthen its partnership with local government units and civic society.
“The DENR will level up its partnership with other government agencies and other well-meaning civic groups to get people to really undertake waste segregation and other measures to reduce the garbage, particularly in Metro Manila,” Paje said.
According to Paje, household wastes remain a big environmental concern of the government. “In the analysis of the country’s environmental problems, it always boils down to garbage as the main contributor. From flooding to dengue, from polluted rivers and creeks to mountains of trash, from unnecessary death of fishes that accidentally swallowed plastic bags in the seas to global warming, garbage is the common denominator.”
In this note, Paje and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) head Francis Tolentino have vowed to toughen the enforcement of the solid waste management law, particularly the segregation of household wastes and collection.
“This way,” Paje continued, “we will not only be reducing the volume of wastes thrown in landfills, but also those that are indiscriminately dumped in esteros and other waterways.”
Also, the DENR chief said his agency has already linked up with 11 local government units in the National Capital Region for the establishment of an ecological solid waste management system in subdivisions and condominiums.
The project, according to Paje, will initially target some 4,717 homeowners associations that have earlier been identified by the LGUs.
Among the LGUs that have signed a memorandum of agreement with the DENR include Caloocan, Quezon, Pasay, Taguig, Pateros, Marikina, Mandaluyong, Malabon, Valenzuela, Manila, and Paranaque.
Aside from solid waste management, LGUs are also undertaking the clean up of esteros and other waterways within their respective political jurisdictions in support of the “Adopt-an-Estero” program of the DENR.
“We initiated the ‘Adopt-an-Estero’ program because we want the private sector to prioritize environmental protection in their corporate social responsibility. We are heartened by the initial report that LGUs are now into it as well, not only for environment sake but more so to address their perennial problems on flooding and the season-related illnesses of their constituents,” Paje said.
Studies show that Metro Manila residents generate a total of 8,700 tons of garbage every day. This represents 25 percent of the country’s daily solid waste generation of about 35,000 tons. (RJB/AKG – PIA-NCR/DENR)
