SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DENR 7 to give P6M cash aid to 15 LGUs

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 will give financial assistance to 15 local government units (LGU) in Central Visayas for establishing material recovery facilities (MRF) and other infrastructure that helped them comply with environmental laws.

Of the 15 beneficiaries, six are from Cebu.

Engr. William Cuñado, head of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of DENR 7, said that they are allocating P6.4 million for the cash assistance, which will be given within the year.

He said eight LGUs will receive P300,000 for their MRFs.

These are Alegria, Dumanjug and Sibonga in Cebu; Baclayon, Clarin, Inabanga and Valencia in Bohol; and Larena in Siquijor.

They will also get a mechanized shredder from DENR to reduce the volume of their wastes and hasten its decomposition process.

Seven other LGUs will receive P200,000 for the improvement of their waste facilities inside their public market.

These are the cities of Talisay, Bogo and Danao in Cebu; and Tagbilaran City, Tubigon, Ubay and Candijay in Bohol.

The submission of the LGUs 10-year solid waste management plan, Cuñado said, was also one of the DENR’s basis in giving cash assistance.

Cuñado said that the financial assistance is one of their ways to encourage the LGUs to comply with Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Manage- ment Act of 2000.

Cuñado said, though, that they will monitor how the LGUs will spend the money that will be given to them.

This is the fifth year that the EMB 7 will give financial assistance to LGUs in the region.

Last year, the EMB 7 extended financial assistance and shredders to 11 LGUs.

The beneficiaries were the towns of Consolacion, Daanbantayan, Sogod, Poro, Sta. Fe and Argao in Cebu as well as Tagbilaran City and the towns of Tubigon, Jagna and Mabini in Bohol. /