San Simon town creates multisectoral committee
SAN SIMON - The local government has created a multisectoral committee which will work on the creation of 10-year Comprehensive Solid Waste Management program as part of their compliance with Republic Act. No. 9003 or the Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000.
Earlier, the Ombudsman has filed a case against officials of this town, along with 70 other officials in Central Luzon for their alleged operation of illegal dumpsites.
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) Mel Tayag said that the committee will be in-charge of formulating a scheme for three months which will be aligned with the needs of the 11 barangays here.
"The committee is composed of teachers, barangay captains and their councils and some residents kaya multisectoral. We created this kasi sila yung mas may alam sa sitwasyon at kung paano kami makakabuo ng solusyon na ma-i-a-apply talaga sa community. Ayaw natin yung i-copy paste sa ibang lugar tapos hindi mai-apply sa San Simon kasi hindi ideal," he explained.
Tayag added that aside from hearing the concerns of the community, the committee will also look into the best practices of other cities and municipalities which are applicable in their town as benchmarks.
"On September 15, idi-discuss muna namin yung mga information and data na na-gather, and then we will go to Cavite para makita yung mga practices na pwede natin i-adopt dito sa San Simon," he said.
Tayag noted that the plan will be the long-term solution of the municipality on the management of the growing number of garbage here, particularly in coastal barangay areas.
He stressed that the local government has already acted on the immediate stipulation of the Ombudsman to close the illegal open dumpsites located at some barangays here.
"Naipasa na namin yung closure and rehabilitation plan nung mga open dumpsites at naisara na natin so okay na tayo doon," he said.
Tayag also shared that San Simon has already signed a memorandum of agreement with Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation which will regularly collect their solid wastes.
"By January of this year, nagwo-work na yung Metro Clark with us, kaya lang yung kaso nag-start yun ng December, tapos pinush through na lang nila," he said, adding that the local government is regularly collecting solid wastes from every barangay as scheduled.
Tayag said that the municipality is disposing some 11 tons of garbage per week and is being picked up by the Metro Clark.