DENR 7 stresses env't law compliance by LGUs
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 wants members of the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) to comply with the solid waste management law to avoid legal problems.
DENR 7 Director Dr. Emma Melana said that public officials who refuse to comply with Republic Act (RA) 9003 could face administrative charges.
During the MCDCB’s first quarter meeting yesterday, Melana said that only the City of Naga complied with RA 9003 after they closed their open dumpsite.
They were also the only local government unit (LGU) in Metro Cebu that submitted a 10-year solid waste management (SWM) plan, and a closure and rehabilitation plan for their dumpsite.
Both plans were approved by the National Solid Waste Management Council (NSWMC).
In Metro Cebu, the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Danao and the town of San Fernando still have open dumpsites.
Of the four, Mandaue and Danao have approved plans for the closure and rehabilitation of their dumpsites.
The two cities also submitted a 10-year SWM plan to NSWMC but its approval is still pending.
While Lapu-Lapu and San Fernando submitted a 10-year SWM plan, they don’t have closure and rehabilitation plans yet.
The cities of Carcar, Naga, Cebu and the towns of Minglanilla, Cordova and Consolacion tapped private firms for the disposal of their garbage. /