DENR exec: Review LGUs’ solid waste management

MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said he would propose the scrapping of a resolution of the National Solid Waste Management Commission providing conditional approval to the solid waste management (SWM) plans of local government units (LGUs).

DENR Undersecretary for solid waste management and local government Benny Antiporda said that he would subject to review the conditional approval of SWM plans granted certain LGUs.

“Conditional approval of SWM plans of local governments should not be allowed anymore. This is just a system used to fast-track the process, but maybe we can come up with something in which local officials can give direct and final answers on what their specific plans are in addressing the solid waste problem in their respective localities,” Antiporda said in an interview.

The official said in that manner, concerned officials can also decide whether to approve or not SWM plans of a particular city or municipality.

“What we are looking at here is their concrete plans on proper garbage segregation, how to manage recyclables, biodegradables and especially, residuals. We will check if they already passed ordinance/s addressing these issues,” Antiporda added.

Section 16 of Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act) requires provinces, cities and municipalities, through their local Solid Waste Management Boards, to prepare their respective 10-year solid waste management plans consistent with the National Solid Waste Management Framework, in accordance with the provisions of the act and the policies set by the NSWM Commission. It also provides that all SWM plans shall be subject to the  approval of the NSWMC.

The NSWMC is the major agency tasked to oversee the implementation of appropriate SWM plans by LGUs as mandated by RA 9003. The NSWMC, in October 2013, came up with a resolution that the 10-year SWM plans of certain LGUs must be conditionally approved.

Just recently, the commission approved the 10-year SWM plans of Quezon City and 15 municipalities in Luzon in compliance with RA 9003.

The commission, chaired by the DENR, approved the respective SWM plans of the 16 LGUs covering various years from 2014 to 2027, during a meeting held in Quezon City.

According to Antiporda, the approval of the SWM plans of these municipalities signified their commitment to abide by the provisions of RA 9003.