TO strengthen alternative means of waste disposal and spread awareness on the harmful effects of open burning, the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), has approved a resolution imposing stricter law enforcement against the system.
"The open burning of solid wastes which includes agricultural wastes has long been prohibited by virtue of RA 9003. However, this has not been religiously adhered to, as open burning is still prevalent in communities, farming, and other agricultural activities especially in the rural areas of the country," said DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu.
He was referring to the traditional small-scale community method of solid waste disposal and management, locally known as "siga."
Cimatu added that the farmers' practice of burning their fields to clear stubbles, weeds, and waste before growing a new crop could reduce soil fertility.
To recall,iIn a virtual en banc meeting last November 24, NSWMC Alternate Chair and DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units (LGUs) Concerns Benny D. Antiporda led the approval of NSWMC Resolution No. 1468, Series of 2021, to "strengthen the enforcement of the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9003 on open burning of municipal solid wastes including agricultural wastes."
RA 9003 is known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
"While we understand that we cannot immediately eradicate all open burning activities, we came up with this resolution to strengthen alternative means of waste disposal and spread awareness on the harmful effects of open burning. Hopefully, this will lead to the gradual removal of open burning," said Antiporda.
As of November 24, 2021, a total of 1,128 LGUs out of 1,716 have 10-year solid waste management (SWM) plans approved by the Commission, which include the goal to achieve a full collection coverage among the LGUs.
Meanwhile the NSWMC recognized that "some LGUs are still in the initial stages of developing their SWM plans" and that "LGUs are yet to accomplish a 100 percent collection coverage in their respective jurisdictions."
Tags: #DENR, #solidwastemanagement, #Sec.Cimatu