The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is throwing its full support to an initiative of the Office of the Ombudsman to monitor the compliance of local government units (LGUs) with the ecological solid waste management law.
“The DENR commits to lend its technical expertise to the Office of the Ombudsman in monitoring LGUs’ compliance with the law, and cooperate with other government agencies and environmental groups to ensure the success of the program,” DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said, as he congratulated Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on the successful launch of the “Solid Waste Management Compliance Program” on Earth Day, April 22.
During the launch, Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon and Environmental Ombudsman Gerard Mosquera said the three-year program deviates from the usual approach of investigation and prosecution as its primary purpose is to measure compliance and recognize the best performing LGUs in terms of conformity with the law on solid waste management.
Republic Act No. 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, provides the legal framework for the country’s systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program that ensure protection of public health and the environment. It seeks the creation of mechanisms and incentives to pursue an effective solid waste management at the local government levels.
The law calls for mandatory segregation of solid wastes; establishment of LGU materials recovery facility; prohibition against the use of open dumpsites, littering in public places, open burning of solid waste, squatting in open dumps and landfills; among others. [PNA]
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