In Bohol: Closure of open dumps in 7 towns ok'd

TAGBILARAN CITY , Philippines  — At least seven municipalities have been issued the "authority to close" (ATC) their open dumpsites pursuant to Republic Act 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

The ecological solid waste management regional office through regional coordinator Amancio Dongcoy issued the ATCs to the towns of Loon, Calape, Tubigon, Danao, Bilar, Cortes and Jagna, all in Bohol.

It was not immediately known if Calape and Loon town have complied with the requirement since they were issued an ATC on December 28, 2008 while the town of Tubigon on December 14, 2009.

The town of Danao was issued the ATC on Feb. 12, 2010; Bilar on May 12, 2010; Cortes on August 25, 2010 and Jagna last January 25.

The directive also mandated to enforce the ATCs in other towns in other provinces in Central Visayas.

These are the cities of LapuLapu, Naga and Mandaue, and the towns of Balamban, Badian, San Francisco, Sogod and Daanbantayan---all in Cebu; the cities of Bayawan and Dumaguete, and the towns of Sta. Catalina, Sibulan and Valencia-all in Negros Oriental; and Maria town in Siquijor.

The law provides that "open dump sites shall not be allowed as final disposal sites," and existing ones must be closed based upon the plan."

It further stated that "As an alternative, sanitary landfill sites shall be developed and operated as a final disposal site for solid and, eventually, residual wastes of a municipality or city or a cluster of municipality and/or cities. Sanitary landfills shall be designed and operated in accordance with the guidelines set under Sections. 40 and 41 of this Act."

Open dump sites in the localities are prohibited to operate and the practice of disposal of solid wastes in these areas is also banned. The open-pit type of wastes disposal sites should be converted into controlled dump area in accordance with the guidelines set under section 41 of the law. But no "controlled dump sites" shall exist forever or be allowed after five years following the effectivity of the law.

An LGU, when setting up a new solid waste management facility, should secure first an environment compliance certificate (ECC), based on Presidential Decree 1586.