2 cities, 30 towns violate waste management law

The cities of Talisay and Toledo and at least 30 towns in the province are in violation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act for maintaining open dumpsites.

Department of Interior and Local Government provincial director Edmundo Jamisola made this announcement through a memorandum issued to the concerned local government units.

Jamisola said the two cities and the 30 towns violated the law based on the inspection conducted by the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

These towns are Badian, Bantayan, Bogo, Boljoon, Borbon, Carcar, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Cordova, Daan Bantayan, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Liloan, Madridejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Naga, Ronda, Samboan, San Fernando, San Francisco, San Remigio, Santander, Sta. Fe, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabuelan and Tuburan,

Jamisola said the Philippine Integrated Bar Association sent a letter to Governor Gwen Garcia with the list of component cities and municipalities found to be violating Republic Act 9003, known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

The list was based on the report submitted by the DENR which inspected the open dumpsites used by the local government units concerned.

In his memorandum, Jamisola reminded local officials to initiate immediate measures to comply with the law, as the Philippine Bar Association informed Garcia that it would send notices to sue the violating local government units.

"The group is bent in pursuing appropriate administrative, civil, and criminal actions against the local officials of the local government units concerned unless corrective measures are instituted within 30 days from receipt of the said notices," Jamisola said.

Early this year, the provincial chapter of the IBP filed administrative charges against Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza and his wife Paz for their alleged failure to comply with the law.

However, Lapu-Lapu City was not included in the recent list submitted by the DILG. - Jose P. Sollano