LGUs Reminded on Role, Steps in Solid Waste Management

The Cebu Provincial Government allocated a total of P26.3 million for the establishment of an efficient Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) for the local government units (LGUs).

With the provisions of the Ecological Waste Management Act or Republic Act (RA) 9003, the LGUs are mandated to create an MRF and prepare a 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan consistent with the National Solid Waste Management Framework.

Provided with the national framework, the waste management plan of each LGU must ensure the efficient management of the solid waste generated within its jurisdiction with an implementation of a feasible reuse, recycling and composting programs.

During the SWM board meeting last September 4, Atty. Chad Estella of Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) admitted that only few LGUs have implemented this program.

Estella presented information that showed only 14 LGUs with functional MRF, specifically in Cordova, Barili, San Francisco, San Fernando, Argao, Balamban, Sta. Fe, Medellin, Dalaguete, Poro, Mandaue City, Liloan, Moalboal, and Asturias.

Meanwhile, 12 LGUs have already submitted their 10-year solid waste management plans. They are Pilar, Toledo City, Cordova, Oslob, Mandaue City, Ginatilan, Cebu City, Boljoon, Naga City, Sogod, Minglanilla, and Santander.

“When we talk about MRF and solid waste management (SWM) plan, we cannot not talk about sanitary landfills. For now, we have identified an area in the north for the establishment of a sanitary landfill,” Estella said.

Governor Hilario P. Davide III also expressed his plan to establish a landfill in the southern part of the province to augment the landfill in the north.

Based on the records of PENRO, some LGUs have existing landfills but are not in use.

Toledo City and Balamban have landfills but continue to use an open dumpsite in their waste disposal while the municipality of Minglanilla and the cities of Naga and Carcar contracted a private company capable of processing their garbage.

On the other hand, five LGUs have already finished the Waste Analyses and Characterization Study (WACS) led by PENRO. These towns include Malabuyoc, Boljoon, Tuburan, Sta. Fe, and San Remigio.

WACS is a method used to identify the physical and chemical properties of a waste by using sampling and analysis to produce steps for waste management.

The information extracted from this method can provide a bigger picture of understanding waste management programs.

To conduct this study, data are collected by waste sampling and sorting. Encoding using the WACS template and workshop on data analysis will follow.

This kind of study can last for two to three weeks, depending on the consistency of the entire team.

In Malabuyoc, the house-to-house waste sampling, data anlysis and workshops took two to three weeks. They have upgraded and updated their community orientations on how to reduce their wastes.

“PENRO is working hard together with our PSWMO team in Malabuyoc regarding WACS. We are very happy that the Provincial Government has been helping us in our waste management plans,” said Malabuyoc Tourism Officer Eric Ybas.

At present, Alegria is vigorously pursuing the study of WACS.

The SWM Board meeting was also attended by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office Head Baltz Tribunalo, Provincial Planning and Development Office Head Chris Lucero, and representatives of the mayors. CLDR

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