DENR closes 3 Pampanga dumps

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines —  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered the closure of dumps in three areas in this province for violating environmental laws.

The DENR said the dumps were located in Barangays Mitla in Porac, Maliwalo in Bacolor and Lara in this city.

DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, who led the inspection of the dumps, said they found hospital wastes, such as tubes for dialysis machines and syringes, as well as diapers.

Concerned mayors were given seven days to explain the operation of the dumps and provide the necessary documents, clearances or permits or face administrative and criminal charges.

“Poor management of dumps poses serious threat not just to the environment but also to public health. This is the reason why we are taking our message to uphold proper waste disposal to a higher level,“ Antiporda said.

Under the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, no open dump or disposal of solid waste in open dumps shall be allowed.

Transfer station

San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago said there is no open dump in the city.

Regina Rodriguez, city environment and natural resources officer, explained that the former dump was converted to a transfer station when it was rehabilitated through the city’s greening program.

“We are fully implementing Republic Act 9003. From garbage collection to sorting and transferring, our system works. We will never tolerate the existence of an open dump here in San Fernando,” Rodriguez said.

She said the transfer station was approved by the DENR regional office pursuant to Administrative Order 9 or the guidelines in the closure and rehabilitation of open dumps and controlled dump facilities.

Rodriguez noted that San Fernando was among the recipients of the Seal of Good Local Governance by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, of which environmental management  is among the criteria.