Disappointment over SWM

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The proper management of the environment is the call of the times. Although this is not exactly something very new to us, people have harped on it time and again.

However, funding agencies in Negros Oriental tasked to provide support for the implementation of a solid waste management program have expressed disappointment over the failure of some local government units to comply with the provisions of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Unless the local government units do their share of the bargain in the European Community, the sponsoring agency, funding for the program may be put on hold. This was gathered from the environment and natural resources officer of the province, who also said that the funding institution would like to make sure that the local government units are capable of following environmental laws.

To date, 21 cities and towns in Negros Oriental have failed to convert their open or controlled dumpsites into a sanitary landfill, as mandated by R.A. 9003. Open dumpsite means the disposal of garbage is not controlled, while a controlled dumpsite is one where the garbage is covered immediately after being dumped. On the other hand, a sanitary landfill is one which is highly developed, employing facilities and equipment that effectively disposes of the garbage. By its description alone, a sanitary landfill necessarily means money, in fact, millions of pesos.

If a compromise can be arrived at so that all parties concerned may achieve satisfactory results, then projects such as this will redound to the benefit of the majority. Otherwise, there is no use pining for what ought to be done and what can be done.*