LGUs ask for extension of dumpsite law deadline

Local government officials in Cebu are asking the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to extend the deadline for the filing of the requirements for sanitary landfills in compliance with the Republic Act 9003 or the "Ecological Solid Waste Management Act."

This after DENR sent notices of violation to LGUs that still had open dumpsites, which is against the law.

During an orientation seminar on the conversion of open dumpsites held at the Northwinds Hotel yesterday, local government officials from different towns of Cebu asked if DENR could extend the deadline for them to convert their open dumpsites into controlled ones.

Under Section 37 of RA 9003, which was signed into law in 2001, open dumpsites are not allowed three years after the effectivity of the law. By 2006, or five years after its effectivity LGUs are required to convert their dumpsites into sanitary landfill.

As DENR's partner in the implementation of RA 9003, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines has also filed administrative complaints against government units that did not comply with the law before the Office of the Ombudsman. Last December the IBP filed a complaint against Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza for alleged failure to implement the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Act.

Despite that, Aniceta Dinoy, solid waste management coordinator of the Environmental Management Bureau-7 said that compliance among LGUs is still very low with only about 10 percent of them operating controlled dumpsites at present.

She added that by 2006, the DENR, through the IBP, would file administrative complaints to all LGUs that do not comply with the solid waste management law.

But Dumanjug Mayor Cesar Baricuatro said 2006 is already near and it is impossible for them to have controlled dumpsites in such a short period of time.

He said it is hard to change the practice of the people, not to mention the big amount needed to put up and maintain a sanitary landfill which costs P15 million per hectare. Other mayors and town officials expressed the same sentiment.

But Dinoy said that only Congress can extend the deadline and suggested the mayors file for extension before Congress through the mayor's league.

"So it would not be very costly for you, I suggest you cluster and divide among your municipalities the expenses," Dinoy said.

Like in Bantayan Island, she said that the municipalities of Madridejos, Sta. Fe and Bantayan could have just one dumpsite. What they need is to talk and decide among them what to do, she added. - Wenna A. Berondo