TACLOBAN CITY, (PNA) — The Environmental Management Bureau in the region recently issued a warning against the city government of Calbayog for failing to implement proper solid waste management pursuant to the provisions of RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
RA 9003 mandates solid waste management as a primary responsibility of LGUs.
Local officials should ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through best practices in ecological waste management, excluding incineration.
EMB-8 Solid Waste Management regional coordinator Maribel Munsayac revealed that the office has written the office of City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan, demanding among others, the full implementation of their solid waste management plan.
It was learned that officials and staff of the EMB-8 including some visitors from the central office, while travelling to the northern part of Samar province, observed the improper waste disposal of the city.
“We saw garbage disposed alongside the highway which emits foul odor and proved to be an eyesore to the travelling public,” Munsayac said.
In the letter it was cited that with Catbalogan as a main highway towards various points in Samar Island, the improper waste disposal is detrimental to the tourism promotion efforts being done by the government for its neighboring towns.
It was learned that the EMB-8 has urged the city mayor for a dialogue to update the office of their solid waste management plan while they assured technical assistance should the city government needs it.
The EMB-8 has been extending technical assistance to the LGUs so that they can fully comply with the requirements of said law.
Meanwhile, Mayor Tan politely refused to comment saying she has yet to have a dialogue with EMB-8 Regional Director Letecia Maceda. The dialogue is hoped to occur soon, it was learned.
Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 provides the legal framework for the country’s systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program that ensure protection of public health and the environment.
It seeks the creation of mechanisms and incentives to pursue an effective solid waste management at the local government levels.