THE Environmental Management Bureau in Eastern Visayas has issued a warning against the City Government of Catbalogan for failing to implement proper solid waste management.

Republic Act (RA) 9003 of the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Act of 2000 mandates solid waste management as a primary responsibility of the local government units.

Local officials should ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through best practices in ecological waste management, excluding incineration.

EMB solid waste management regional coordinator Maribel Munsayac said her office has written the office of City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan, demanding, among others, the full implementation of their solid waste management plan.

“We saw garbage disposed alongside the highway, which emits foul odor and proved to be an eyesore to the travelling public,” Munsayac said.

Mayor Tan said she is yet to have a dialogue with EMB Regional Director Letecia Maceda.

Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 provides the legal framework for the country’s systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program that ensure protection of public health and the environment.

It seeks the creation of mechanisms and incentives to pursue an effective solid waste management at the local government levels. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)