MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has approved the solid waste management plans of 160 other local government units (LGUs).
The National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWC), which was tasked to oversee the implementation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, approved the SWMPs during its meeting on Thursday.
Last August, the NSWMC approved the SWMPs of Quezon City and 15 towns in Ifugao, Aurora, Isabela, La Union, Quezon, Pangasinan, Bulacan and Nueva Ecija.
In September, the SWMPs of 20 LGUs, including Iloilo, Bataanas, Bataan and Tarlac, were approved.
The SWMPs of 67 other LGUs were approved last October.
”The SWMPs are the answer to the worsening problem on waste,” Benny Antiporda, DENR undersecretary for solid waste management and LGU concerns and concurrent chairman of the NSWC, said, noting that it would allow LGUs to implement their plans to address the garbage problem in their respective areas.
Antiporda vowed to strictly monitor the implementation of the approved SWMPs. He said erring local officials face criminal and administrative charges.