Local execs question DENR lack of
participation in solving waste problem
By Bro. Herbert P. Mapiles
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Several local
chief executives in the province questioned the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources’ (DENR) for its failure to implement a comprehensive program
in solving the solid waste problem in
the province in support to the mandate given to the local government units.
This came as provincial
government through Governor Lilia Pineda recently convened the Solid Waste
Management Council in a meeting held at Clark Freeport Zone.
Pineda said that admittedly under Republic Act No. 9003 otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, the local government units are mandated to address the garbage problem in the respective
localities.
However, the
governor lamented that DENR being the lead agency with huge source of funds from the national
government could possibly include in their annual budget sufficient amount for the establishment of
sanitary landfill in the province.
This according to
her, is lacking among the local government units who were tasked by the law to
handle the volume of garbage accumulated by the people on a daily basis.
The provincial Solid
Waste Management Council meeting was attended by mayors, representatives from
the DENR and Department of Interior and Local Government, (DILG) cause oriented
groups and other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Arturo
Punzalan, provincial environment and natural resources officer disclosed that each
municipality needs a maximum of P15,000 per truck, only for the hauling of
garbage going to Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill in Capas, Tarlac.
Angie Blanco, DILG
provincial director, explained that under the devolution of power, the department
like DENR is bereft of authority to establish a sanitary landfill as this is already given to
the local government units.