DENR, JICA sign deal on solid waste management

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has forged an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to strengthen the programs and capabilities of local government units (LGUs) in solid waste management (SWM) using the latest technologies, including waste-to-energy (WTE).

Signing the Record of Discussions (R/D) for ‘The Project for Capacity Development on Improving Solid Waste Management through Advanced/Innovative Technologies’ were DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and JICA Philippines chief representative Susumu Ito.

Cimatu described the DENR partnership with JICA as "timely and relevant in addressing the issue of solid waste management in the country."

"It (the project) will help improve the country’s SWM system, particularly the safety closure/rehabilitation of landfills, recycling, composting, waste segregation and operation of material recovery facilities (MRF)," he added.

The R/D was inked to establish a mutual agreement for the detailed plan and implementation of the capacity development project, which is expected to run for the next three years.

The cities of Quezon, Cebu and Davao have been chosen as pilot sites for the project.

As the agency responsible for the implementation of the project, the DENR has agreed to coordinate with other relevant organizations and ensure that the project’s self-reliant operation is sustained during and after the implementation period.

Ito said the capacity-building project is the "first step" in addressing the waste management issues in the Philippines.

"The signing of today’s record of discussions of this capacity development project signals a complete first step in helping the Philippines implement management solutions using advanced technologies," Ito pointed out.