The Sangguniang Panlalawigan enjoined local government units in Pampanga to come up with comprehensive development programs on solid waste management even as it reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to provide the necessary support and assistance.
This developed during the en banc meeting of the SP committee on environment yesterday (July 19) presided by Board Member Cris Garbo at the Capitol’s session hall.
“Let us work together and collectively solve the problem on garbage which poses health and environmental hazards to our constituents,” Garbo said.
Municipal and barangay officials from barangay Tabun and Pulung Cacutud in Mabalacat town including leaders and members of Boluntaryo, a private organization concerned with the waste management problem in the said barangays, attended the committee meeting along with the representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Environment and Management Bureau (EMB).
Earlier, the said private organization filed a letter of complaint with the EMB and the SP on the health and environmental hazards caused by the open garbage dump site located in between barangays Tabun and Pulung Cacutud.
Representatives from the office of Mayor Marino Morales reported that a cease and desist order on the use of the garbage dump site was issued early this month by the mayor.
“We have already cleared the area which previously served as a holding area /transfer station of garbage prior to its hauling and delivery to the Kalangitan Landfill.”
However, the Boluntaryo group maintained that the garbage was merely buried under several feet of filling materials which could adversely affect the water source and eventually the health of residents of nearby communities.
Sonny Dobles, a member of the said group, said that the said dump site violated our environmental laws including the Clean Air Act and he expressed concern that it would contaminate the water source, especially with reports that even hospital wastes were allegedly dumped in it.
He added that barangay officials should be made answerable for this environmental problem.
Board Member Nestor Tolentino reminded the municipal and barangay officials that Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo issued a memorandum circular ordering the closure of all open dump sites nationwide.
Local government units should be strictly implementing this order, but sad to say, there are still a number of open dump sites in operation in the province, Tolentino lamented.
He added that Governor Lilia G. Pineda is serious in her commitment to solve the waste problem as it is one of the primary causes of water and river pollution, perennial flooding and health-related problems.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (ENRO) Art Punsalan informed the committee that the governor ordered that charges be filed against LGUs who violate the provisions of Republic Act 9003.
Punsalan said that they have been conducting monitoring activities throughout the province and have found out that some open and controlled dump sites ordered closed by the DENR are still being used.
“We need strong political will to really implement the law,” he said as he added that the barangays should ensure that waste segregation starts at the source with the municipalities collecting and dumping the garbage in accredited sites.
He said that while the provincial government has made significant accomplishments in addressing the problem much still needs to be done considering the magnitude of the waste management problem.
The provincial government is very much willing to assist, and with the support of the SP and the commitment and willingness of the LGUs, we would be able to do a lot, Punsalan ended. (Pampanga PIO)
