Some LGUs now complying with waste management law

CEBU, Philippines - Some cities and municipalities in the Visayas have started to implement the solid waste management law, which calls for segregation of garbage and operation of material recovery facilities (MRFs) in their respective areas.

Lawyer Antonio Oposa, chairman of Integrated Bar of the Philippines National Environmental Action Team, said they have been starting to assess different localities of the Visayas.

He said during their assessment, they received positive response from some local government units.

Oposa took example Bantayan town, which is now converting its landfill into a flower garden.

He said that Sta. Fe town has eradicated its dynamite fishing activities and sightings of whales and dolphins are already visible in the area.

He congratulated Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes for shutting down the city’s landfill after seeing the rising volume of garbage.

Cortes, whose family home is located near the Umapad landfill, sought the City Council support to place the city under state of calamity over its rising garbage volume.

The dumpsite was recommended for closure by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for violating Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2003.

Oposa said that in April 2010, they will give award to local government units that comply with the environmental laws.

“Mindset and discipline are important. The most essential element in nation building is discipline and the most basic form of discipline is cleanliness,” Oposa said. — Jasmin R. Uy/LPM (THE FREEMAN)