Mandaue adopts measures on solid waste management

Mayor Thadeo Ouano informed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7, through a letter, that the city is now undertaking measures in compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

This after the DENR-7 called the attention of the city government based on the result of an evaluation conducted on different city barangays in relation to the implementation of the law.

DENR-7 acting regional director Alan Aranquez reminded Ouano of the provisions of the solid waste management act, which states that no open dumpsites shall be allowed nor operated following the implementation of the law last January 6, 2001.

The operation of existing dumpsites shall be shifted to controlled disposal within three years after the implementation of the law.

Controlled dump facilities shall be allowed to operate only within five years following the law's implementation and beyond the said period shall consider these facilities as deemed closed and phased-out, after which, only sanitary landfills or environmentally acceptable long-term storage facilities are allowed to operate.

In his letter dated November 7, Ouano informed Aranquez that the city government now conducts information and education campaign on segregation, recycling, and reuse in the 27 barangays.

The mayor said the city mobilizes the eco-wardens to enforce the existing city ordinance related to ecological solid waste management and ensure that business establishments are segregating their wastes.

Ouano also informed Aranquez that the city government has already purchased landfill compactors stationed at the dumpsite, segregation bins, and five compactor trucks fitted with bins lifter. - Jose P. Sollano