DENR orders closure of all open dumpsites in PH by March 2021

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY –- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered the officials of the agency’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to step-up all efforts and strictly enforce laws against open dumpsites nationwide as they are prohibited under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. 

“All open dumpsites must be closed by the end of March this year.” Cimatu issued this nationwide directive in his message on January 26 in celebration of the 20^th anniversary of RA-9003.

According to Engr. Cindylyn Pepito, chief of the Environmental Education and Information Unit of EMB7 that in compliance with Cimatu’s directive, DENR-EMB-7 under the leadership of regional executive director (RED) Paquito Melicor Jr., and regional director (RD) Lormelyn Claudio organized a seminar on “Capacity Development on Environmental Laws and LGUs’ Compliance to RA 9003 For the Local Government Units for Negros Oriental” on January 28-30, 2021.

The event was participated by the three congressmen of the Province of Negros Oriental with all the Municipal Mayors and Department Heads within their respective districts to discuss thoroughly the current state of the province’s solid waste management and proper disposal of garbage.

DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns Benny Antiporda joined the activity via video conferencing and said in his message that DENR is doing its best to help the LGUs in maintaining good environment in their areas.  “With your cooperation, expect the best from us. We will help you,” Antiporda said.

This is the open dumpsite  located at Barangay Calindagan in Dumaguete City

The seminar according to Pepito presented financial mechanism schemes for all LGUs to have ideas on how they can comprehensively establish their Solid Waste Management (SWM) facilities. 

Private waste management service providers also presented different technologies to give options for the LGUs on proper SWM with the different types of waste generated in the household level.

Cease-and-Desist or Closure Orders (CDOs) will be issued to all municipalities in Central Visayas that will continue to operate open dumpsites.   

Pepito said that DENR-EMB7 simultaneously padlocked two open dumpsites located at Barangay Luyang in Carmen in Cebu and in Barangay Kamonggayan, Catungawan Sur in Guindulman town in Bohol on January 25.

Pepito added that the issuance of the CDOs meant that the disposal of any type of garbage or waste is no longer allowed at the dumpsite and any person or entity who shall act in contravention of the closure order shall be liable to the law and eventually cases will be filed against them. (Photos: EMB7 & Syril Repe FB post)