Campaign vs open dumpsites to cut down waste volume in Central Luzon

THE ongoing “no nonesense” campaign against open dumpsites by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) will be sustained to cut down and sustain the program in regulating waste management down to the municipal and barangay levels.

This was disclosed by Andresito Cabalar of the DENR-EMB-Central Luzon Solid Waste Management Office, who noted that Central Luzon produces more than 5,000 tons of garbage daily, including domestic (municipal), agricultural, industrial, commercial and medical wastes collected daily in seven provinces and two cities.

The amount of wastes includes recyclables and non-biodegradable materials.

The residual wastes are common in open dumpsites, which are the subject of complaints due to foul smell and the ever-increasing volume of wastes in Central Luzon could have resulted in massive pollution and damage to the environment, Cabalar said.

“In fact, there were five LGUs (local government units) in Central Luzon have been held liable due to existence of open dumpsites, a prohibited garbage depository area which were recently shutdown by the DENR-EMB,” Cabalar said.

"It's for this reason why our office has to shutdown open dumpsite due to pollution and violation of the Ecological and Solid Waste Management Act," he added.

He said violation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act against two of the LGUs in Central Luzon, including Sta. Ana in Pampanga and Malolos City in Bulacan, have been endorsed to the Department of Interior and Local Government for immediate action.

Cabalar said other areas with open dumpsites are the towns of Talavera in Nueva Ecija, Angeles City and Dipaculao, Aurora.

The three LGUs were issued Safe Closure and Rehabilitation Plan.

"We made sure that these dumpsites will cease and desist from operation by regularly monitoring the concerned areas," he said.

The LGUs, he said, must have an approved 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan to address the mounting garbage problem.

Cabalar added that only 12 sanitary landfills exist to accommodate these garbage and more than half of these volumes are being disposed in the lone engineered sanitary landfill, the Metro Clark Waste disposal facilities located in Capas, Tarlac, which is a big help in preventing a widespread garbage crisis in the region. (JTD)

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