MANILA, Philippines - Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo has cautioned local chief executives to close open dumpsites in their respective jurisdictions or else face administrative sanctions under the Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
This after the DILG chief received information that some local government units (LGUs) are still operating open dumpsites despite a memorandum urging LGUs to adhere to the solid waste management law.
“Local execs who fail to enforce and implement the provisions of the said law will face administrative sanctions in accordance with the Local Government Code and other existing rules and regulations,” Robredo said.
Section 37 of RA 9003 prohibits the use of open dumps for solid waste and the conversion of open dumps into controlled dumps within three years from the enactment of the law. It also provides that no controlled dumps shall be allowed five years following the effectivity of the law.
Robredo earlier wrote Mayor Ryanh Dolor of Bauan, Batangas, urging him to immediately resolve the solid waste management problem of his municipality by closing its dumpsite facility located at Barangay Sinala.
“Please facilitate the immediate closure of your controlled dumpsite facility, otherwise we shall be constrained to refer this matter to the Office of the Ombudsman pursuant to Section 50 of RA 9003,” he said. - By Dennis Carcamo
