Cebu mayors vow to close all open dumps in 30 days

CEBU CITY — Expect the shutdown of all existing open trash dumps in the province within the next 30 days as the provincial government and 47 municipal mayors have committed to hasten efforts to comply with Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

In lieu of the open dumps, the provincial government and the mayors agreed to jointly work for the establishment of a materials recovery facility (MRF) in every barangay as an initial measure of compliance.

Assistant Secretary Gerardo Calderon of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources cited Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and all the 47 town mayors for their commitment and support to the Zero Basura Caravan, which enjoins provinces, cities and municipalities to actively take part in the national government’s campaign to close all existing open dumps.

Local officials here also agreed to adopt measures for proper and safe closure as prescribed by the DENR and the National Solid Waste Management Commission of which Calderon is the executive director.

The Zero Basura Caravan is a joint nationwide project of the DENR, the NSWMC and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.

In a statement, LMP national president Ramon Guico Jr. said the caravan has covered more than half its target.

“We have in fact already covered all regions in Luzon and almost done with the Visayas,” he said.

Looking at the critical role of the local government units in the garbage problem, proper waste management implementation and the climate change dilemma, the DENR, the Department of Health and the LMP are drawing together local chief executives from all over the country to comply with RA 9003 through a program dubbed as the “Interconnectivity Caravan: Strengthening and Empowering LMP Provincial Chapters”.

Highlighting the Zero Basura Caravan in LMP gatherings emphasize the significance and timeliness of the solid waste management campaign with the strategy on the 3-strike policy and the Zero Basura Program.

The caravan is also seen as a venue in strengthening the LGU-DENR partnership in sustaining the gains and addressing the challenges of the local government on solid waste management.

Source: Manila Bulletin