The League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Oriental Negros Chapter, is seeking the help of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in deferring the implementation of the mandatory conversion of controlled dumpsites to sanitary landfills.

League president Mayor Valente Yap of Bindoy town, Oriental Negros, said the LMP in the province, through a resolution, has sought the help of the President since 19 of the 20 towns in Oriental Negros have not complied with the mandate because of lack of funds. Two of the five cities in the province also failed to put up the landfill, he said.

In an undated resolution, the LMP in the province is also requesting, "the national government to provide for the funds to realize compliance of Republic Act 9003."

Earlier, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 7, citing RA-9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, warned the mayors of the 21 city and municipal mayors in Oriental Negros of a possible administrative charges if they will not build the sanitary landfill on or before Feb. 15, 2006.

The LGUs that failed to beat the deadline were the towns of Basay, Sta. Catalina, Siaton, Zamboanguita, Dauin, Bacong, Valencia, Sibulan, Amlan, Pamplona, Mabinay, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Tayasan, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Guihulngan and Vallehermoso and the cities of Dumaguete and Tanjay.

Only the cities of Bayawan, Bais and Canlaon and the town of San Jose have complied with the law.

"We, the mayors of Oriental Negros will have difficulty in putting up the sanitary landfill because it is very expensive," Yap said.

Yap added that the facility costs millions of pesos, and there's no way for the towns in the province to put up one, especially since most of them are 3rd to 4th class municipalities.

When reminded by the directive of the DENR warning that those who will not comply with the order may face charges, Yap had earlier said, "The mayors are willing to go to prison."

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Antonio Cabrido, on the other hand, said his office will submit to "higher-ups" a report about the uncomplied directive and "it's up for them to decide on the issue."

Cabrido also lamented that most of the LGUs in the province do not have a comprehensive and sustainable solid waste management program, and have not allocated sufficient budget for it.

The law which took effect in 2001, mandates that within three years following its effectivity, all local government units in the country must convert their open dumpsite into a controlled one. After which, all LGUs are bound to establish a sanitary landfill on or before January 26, 2006.*RA

back to top