Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje appealed to all local government officials to strictly comply with Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, to avoid a repeat of the collapse of a dumpsite in Baguio City that killed at least five persons, a DENR press release said.

Paje also said he will meet soon with Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to discuss how to enhance LGU compliance with the law.

Paje also said that as early as 2006, the DENR, through the National Solid Waste Management Commission which he chairs, has sent out notice of violations to more than a thousand local government units who have continually been operating open and controlled dumpsites, the press release said.

Unfortunately, he said, while at the national level, the government is performing, the LGUs are not in compliance.  “The DENR’s role is to help LGUs manage their garbage. At the national level, the government is performing, but the LGUs are not complying,” he said.

Since the law holds the LGUs primarily responsible for solid waste management in their areas of jurisdiction, Paje advised the local executives who do not have the capability to construct landfills to form clusters with other neighboring LGUs as this would be more feasible.

Paje also committed to extend technical assistance in the construction of the retailing wall of the dumpsite, the press release said.

He said the problem of solid waste management also remains a responsibility of each Filipino citizen, and that the best way to address it was to ensure segregation at source. It is estimated that with every household practicing waste segregation at home, only 30 per cent of waste would actually be dumped in landfills nationwide.

Under the law, the establishment or operation of open dumpsites is punishable with a minimum fine of  P500,000. LGU officials can also be charged administratively in accordance with RA 7160 or the Local Government Code, the press release added.*

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