JICA to help in LGU waste mngm’t

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has partnered with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the strengthening of local government units (LGUs) capacity in solid waste management using the latest technologies.

The DENR and JICA recently signed a Record of Discussions (RD) for “The Project for Capacity Development on Improving Solid Waste Management through Advanced and Innovative Technologies” in a bid to address the worsening problem of waste disposal in the country.

The RD aims 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 and will be piloted in Quezon City, Cebu and Davao.

“It will help improve the country’s solid waste management system, particularly the safety closure and rehabilitation of landfill, recycling, composting, waste segregation and operation of material recovery facilities,” environment chief Roy Cimatu said.

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

Cimatu has been urging LGUs to be innovative in finding solutions to garbage woes to ensure the protection of the environment and health of the communities. The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act mandates LGUs to adopt a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program that will ensure the protection of public health and environment.