DENR says no to 2 dumpsites

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered yesterday the closure of five open dumpsites in operation in Parañaque City and Taytay in Rizal.

In accordance to Republic Act No. 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Environment Secretary Heherson Alvarez issued notices of violation (NOVs) to Parañaque City Mayor Joey Marquez and Taytay Mayor June Zapanta for the use of open dumpsites in their respective areas.

The NOVs directed the two mayors to stop further operations of the dumpsites "until appropriate clearances from the DENR have been secured." The officials were ordered to immediately begin the rehabilitation and clean-up of the open dumpsites.

Alvarez asked Marquez and Zapanta to explain why they should not be penalized "for having committed an act which violates the law."

The National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) chaired by Alvarez confirmed the operation of the open dumpsites in Parañaque and Taytay. NSWMC found in Parañaque City open dumpsites along Doña Soledad Avenue and Cul de Sac in Barangay Sun Valley, and inside Greenville Subdivision and the old cemetery in Himlayang Palanyag in Barangay San Dionisio. – Katherine Adraneda