LGUs: Lack of funds affect implementation of Solid Waste Law

Local government units failed to fully implement Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, reportedly because of the lack of funds to finance projects related to garbage disposal.

Allan Aranquez, regional technical director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7, said that local and city officials relayed this problem to them.

He said the officials informed their office they are eager to implement the law in their respective cities and municipalities but that the lack of funds and resources has hindered them from doing so.

According to Aranquez, some local government units have already agreed to pool their resources in implementing the law.

In relation to said pooling of resources, he cited the move of the provincial government to assist cities and municipalities in northern Cebu through clustering.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia approved the clustering of municipalities and cities in northern Cebu that led to the identification of a common sanitary landfill.

Garcia assured financial assistance for the construction of the facility.

Earlier, the provincial government eyed a 20-hectare lot in barangay Maslog, Danao City, as proposed site of the project. But later on decided to consider barangay Dawis Sur in Carmen town.

Aranquez said his office provides technical assistance to the provincial government for the implementation of the project.

They will also provide said technical assistance to Tagbilaran City and neighboring municipalities in Bohol province. The provincial officials of Bohol also agreed to put up a common sanitary landfill. - Jose P. Sollano