AN OFFICIAL of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Central Visayas said that establishments and residents complaining about the bad smell coming from the sanitary landfill in Barangay Inayawan can sue the Cebu City Government before the anti-graft office.
During the Kapihan sa PIA Wednesday, September 7, Engr. Marco Andrew Silveron, chief of Department of Environment and Natural Resources-EMB Central Visayas' Solid Waste Management Section, told reporters that erring local government units (LGUs) that failed to manage their landfills can be sued for violation of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001.
Silveron said that based on the law, LGUs are obliged to improve their solid waste management programs, including the proper management of controlled dumps or the closure of open dumpsites.
"If residents living there are affected by the dumpsite's operations, they have the right to file a complaint against the LGU if they fail to implement the law," Silveron said.
He also admitted that since 1999, the DENR monitored the Inayawan landfill for possible environmental violations.
He said that from 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2009, they have called the Cebu City Government's attention for failing to manage the landfill and even identified violations.
But since the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) of the Inayawan landfill was issued by DENR Manila, they decided to submit the results of their monitoring to them for their action.
But Silveron admitted that this has not been acted upon.
When the City announced its intention to reopen the landfill, Silveron said they provided the City officials with various options, including availing itself of the services of a private garbage collection firm in the City of Naga.
But the City Government reportedly proceeded with its plan to reopen the facility, as availing itself of the services of a private firm will only entail more cost.
Silveron said the life span of the landfill ended in 2005, so it no longer has the capacity to accept more garbage.
But he said they have given the City a chance to comply with the commitments it made in terms of improving the management of the facility. (JKV/VoxPop Cebu)