DENR promotes proper segregation to effectively collect, dispose solid waste in communities

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) – As the proper solid waste management remains a major challenge in the country, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) has urged the public to practice proper waste segregation at home.

Through this initiative, a greater impact on the environment, public health, and limited capacity of sanitary landfills and dumpsites will be addressed, as it is seen as a key measure to reduce pressure on landfills and alleviate the environmental burden of waste accumulation.

Nilo Tamoria, Regional Executive Director of DENR Calabarzon, emphasized during the Kapihan sa DENR Calabarzon program by the Philippine Information Agency, that the mandate for landfills lies under the jurisdiction of local government units (LGUs), and given the rising challenges brought by limited availability of sanitary landfills and dumpsites, DENR is conducting further studies on waste-to-energy solutions.

“Since the mandate for landfills lies with the local government, more than 50% of the local governments in Quezon province have them. However, due to the limited space, especially in highly populated area, there is continuous research on waste-to-enegry and other methods on how we can manage all of this. Because when the population grows, the waste also increases.” Tamoria said.

Based on the data presented by Forester Corazon Gasapos, chief of the DENR-EMB Solid Waste Management Section, the Calabarzon region generates approximately 8,000 tons of waste per day.

While this may seem few, given that 40 of them are LGU-owned and 10 are privately owned, that also accommodate waste from Metro Manila, the proper waste segregation by the public could make this number sufficient, Gasapos believes.

“When we look at the capacity of the 50 sanitary landfills, they can accommodate around 7,300 tons of waste per day. At first, we might say that this is insufficient but we are talking about mixed waste. The 7,300 includes all types of waste and given the large volume, half of it is biodegradable, while 35% is recyclable. Our long term goal is to really educate our fellow citizens to practice waste segregation at source, “ the environment official explained.

Although the strict implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 falls under the responsibility of LGUs, public cooperation plays a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of waste management, the Environment Department stressed.

Meanwhile, to support LGUs in the said implementation of a more stringent ordinances related to solid waste management programs, Gasapos reiterated that the DENR is committed to providing technical assistance to ensure the effective enforcement of solid waste management across the region. (CO/PIA4A)

(L-R) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) IV-A Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria, Environmental Management Bureau IV-A Regional Ecological Solid Waste Management Coordinator and Chief of the ESWM Section, Forester Corazon Gasapos, and Mines and Geosciences Bureau IV-A Regional Director Edgardo Castillo during the Kapihan sa DENR Calabarzon. (AM/PIA-4A)
(L-R) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) IV-A Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria, Environmental Management Bureau IV-A Regional Ecological Solid Waste Management Coordinator and Chief of the ESWM Section, Forester Corazon Gasapos, and Mines and Geosciences Bureau IV-A Regional Director Edgardo Castillo during the Kapihan sa DENR Calabarzon. (AM/PIA-4A)
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