THE local government units (LGU) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) have been warned of legal action for non-compliance of Republic Act (R.A.) 9003 otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
Secretary Kahal Kedtag of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Armm (DENR-Armm) said Thursday, November 10, that LGUs in the region that do not implement provisions of R.A. 9003 will be charged administratively based on R.A. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991.
“We appeal to the LGUs to comply with the law. We need to impose the law,” Kedtag said.
Kedtag added his office will coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government to compel LGUs to implement the provisions of R.A. 9003.
Kedtag also encouraged the region’s LGUs to provide and submit their comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) as mandated by R.A. 9003.
Kedtag said R.A. 9003 defines the policy framework, institutional mechanisms, and mandate for LGUs to achieve a 25 percent waste reduction target through an integrated SWMP based on the 3Rs--reduce, re-use, and recycle.
Based on a study, the country generated 10.6 million tons of solid waste in 2012 and that volume is expected to double in 2025.
Kedtag said this is the reason why solid waste management is considered a major environmental issue by the government.
The National Solid Waste Management Council, during the recent two-day learning even on ecological solid waste management, has ordered all LGUs to submit their 10-year SWMP not later than November 30 this year.
The Environment and Management Bureau (EMB) in Soccskargen conducted the two-day activity, which was also participated by EMB-Armm.
Section 50 of R.A. 9003 said local government officials and officials of government agencies concerned who fail to comply with and enforce rules and regulations promulgated relative to the solid waste management law shall be charged administratively in accordance with R.A. 7160 and other existing laws, rules, and regulations.
“Waste mismanagement has serious environmental effects (and that resulted in) the passage of R.A. 9003; we need to implement it the soonest possible,” Kedtag said.
Kedtag said his office can provide technical assistance to LGUs in the formulation and implementation of their SWMPs.
