Gov. Isidro Zayco yesterday asked Environment Secretary Jose Atienza for a meeting with officials of Negros Occidental to discuss the Department of Environment and Natural Resources deadline for the closure of open dumpsites.

The DENR has 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.

The local governments are required to come up with landfill sites in six months in compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Program, Zayco said.

Several Negros Occidental mayors have asked for our intervention because of their inability to comply with the requirement for lack of funds, Zayco said.

That is why he is asking Atienza for a meeting on the matter so they can find solutions that would not violate the provisions of the law, he added.

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.

Zayco said private sector assistance for the setting up of a waste management facility is also welcome.*CPG

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