DENR to hasten approval of waste management plans

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has committed to hasten the approval of the 10-year solid waste management plans (SWMPs) of local government units (LGUs) as part of the DENR’s stricter enforcement of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

In a statement issued yesterday, DENR acting Secretary Jim Sampulna said the solid waste management would be the agency’s top priority this year.

“Our battle against solid waste continues and we will not stop until all our LGUs have their approved SWMPs,” Sampulna said.

“We will continue to act fast on the problems of unsegregated wastes ending up in sanitary landfills, COVID healthcare wastes and the unchanged behavior of a majority of Filipinos toward solid waste disposal,” he said.

Sampulna said the National Solid Waste Management Commission, which the DENR chairs, aims to approve at least 185 SWMPs by the end of 2022.

The law mandates LGUs to submit their 10-year SWMP for the effective management of their solid wastes.

The plan must contain strategies on proper waste collection, diversion and disposal, as well as proper operation and maintenance of solid waste equipment and facilities.

The SWMP must also contain specific actions such as information dissemination strategies, presence of material recovery facility and sanitary landfill, biodegradable waste process, and partnership with organizations for recycling.