Barangays told: Activate waste management body

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has moved to reorganize and reactivate, or if not yet existing, to organize and activate the Barangay Ecological Solid Waste Management Committee (BESWMC) in every barangay in the city.

It likewise required the 80 barangays, through its barangay captain, to submit the list of names of members of their BESWMC, as well as the minutes of the meeting for the organization and activation of the same, to the Office of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) within 30 days.

Councilor Joel Garganera sponsored a resolution regarding the matter which was approved by the council Wednesday.

“The BESWMC is vital in the effective and efficient implementation of proper solid waste management at the barangay level,” said Garganera.

Garganera is the chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, Energy, and Other Utilities.

The councilor cited Section 10 of Republic Act No. 9003 also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 which provides that “Pursuant to the relevant provisions of R.A. No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code, the LGUs shall be primarily responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Act within their respective jurisdictions. Segregation and collection of solid waste shall be conducted at the barangay level specifically for biodegradable, compostable and reusable wastes: Provided, That the collection of non-recyclable materials and special wastes shall be the responsibility of the municipality or city.”

Sections 6 and 7 of the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9003 provide for the creation of the Barangay Solid Waste Management Committee.

The Barangay SWM Board shall formulate solid waste management program consistent with city municipality plan; conduct the segregation and collection of biodegradable, compostable, reusable wastes; establish materials recovery facility; allocate barangay funds/look for sources of funds; organize core coordinators; and submit monthly report to city or municipality.

It shall comprise of the barangay captain as chairman, and one kagawad; the Sangguniang Kabataan chairman; presidents of homeowners association; public/private school principals or representatives, among others, as members.

Garganera said that to implement the said law, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Memorandum Circular (M.C.) No. 2001-38 dated April 10, 2001 to oversee the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Program at the barangay level.

He said that to ensure continuous compliance of the aforementioned law and M.C. No. 2001-38, the DILG further issued M.C. 2018-112 for the “Organization of the Barangay Ecological Solid Waste Management Committee (BESWMC)”.

Lastly, the City Council required the ABC to submit a Compliance Report of the barangays in relation to the organization or reorganization of the BESWMC to be submitted to the council at the end of the period given to the 80 barangays for its compliance. — GMR (FREEMAN)