Gov. Isidro Zayco yesterday called on mayors still maintaining open dumpsites in their towns and cities to take action before the six month grace period granted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ends.

They are mandated by law to ensure solid waste management down to the barangay level, he said.

Many of our local governments have already addressed the matter, and the few who have failed to do so will have to face the consequences, he said.

The DENR on Monday warned local officials whose areas still maintain open dumpsites, including 12 in Negros Occidental, to close these facilities within six months, or charges will be filed against them.

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza said that, after two months, DENR regional officials will start checking on the compliance of the concerned LGUs.

Atienza said there are still 826 open dumpsites in various parts of the country.

A list of open dumpsites of the National Solid Waste Management Commission, as of the fourth quarter of 2007, shows that 12 of the 826 listed are in Negros Occidental.

These are located in Brgy. Felisa, Bacolod City; Sitio Pandan, Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City; Sitio Minubuno, Brgy. Tigbon, Calatrava; Brgy. Mabini, Escalante City; Brgy. Iglau-an, Murcia; Hacienda Coscolluela, Brgy. Poblacion II, Sagay City; Brgy. Poblacion, San Enrique; Brgy. E. Lopez, Silay City; Brgy. Gil Montilla, Sipalay City; Zone III, Brgy. Catabla, Talisay City; and Hacienda San Ramon, Victorias City.

“The LGUs have been given sufficient time already to comply with Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act,” Atienza said.*CPG

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