LGUs develop solid waste management plans

Eight local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila have been selected by the Asian Development Bank-assisted Metro Manila Solid Waste Management (SWM) Study (ADB-TA3848-PHIL) to be the first recipients of assistance in the development of the 10-year SWM Plan. The eight are Muntinlupa, Manila, Makati, Malabon, Navotas, Pasig, Quezon City, and Valenzuela. They are among 17 cities/municipalities to be given assistance by the ADB. The assistance aims to build the LGUs’ capacity in setting up as SWM system, a primary component required by RA 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Act.

RA 9003 requires a 10-year SWM plan to be drawn up by LGUs. Said plan must include components on waste reduction; recycling; collection; information, education and communication; and disposal. It also requires the LGUs to reduce their non-recyclable waste by 25 percent within five years from its enactment.

The DENR-Environmental Management Bureau which serves as secretariat, provides support to the National Solid Waste Management Commission, specifically in coordinating the implementation of this project.

ADB has also assisted Makati and Muntinlupa in their waste characterization process. The other six LGUs will do theirs within the next few weeks. Using the results of the waste characterization studies, the LGUs can be able to set their waste reduction targets, design their Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), and other components of the SWM Plan.

To prepare for the related tasks, a seminar on the preparation of the Plan a Training on ESWM will be conducted for LGUs in Metro Manila on March 11-14, 2003, in Villa Cristina, Antipolo City. – Benny Enriquez