Laoag
City—Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu sees the potential of Ilocos Norte as
the first province to establish sanitary landfills in each municipality.
“I am looking forward to that
day na lahat-lahat ng mga
municipalities sa Ilocos Norte ay may sanitary landfills,” he said in a meeting
organized by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) headed by
Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall
on August 8, 2019.
Attendees include local
government executives, city and municipal environment officers, and different
environmental stakeholders.
According to Mr.
Cimatu, Ilocos Norte would encourage other provinces to establish
their own disposal areas if it would set an exemplary action in addressing
improper waste management.
Out of 21 municipalities, he
lauded the officials of Bacarra, Banna, Nueva Era, Paoay, Piddig, San Nicolas,
and Vintar for having operational sanitary landfills. Meanwhile, the landfills
of the municipalities of Bangui, Dingras and Sarrat are still under
construction.
Moreover, the Municipality of
Pagudpud was cited for its utilization of materials recovery facility (MRF) in
an effort to lessen solid wastes.
Included in the concerns
discussed during the meeting was the process of acquiring Environment
Compliance Certificate (ECC) for qualified sanitary landfill and merging of
some municipalities in the utilization of such, and the enforcement of
environmental laws.
Strict implementation of
environmental laws
During the meeting, Mr. Cimatu cited the Municipality of
Pagudpud for its minor environmental problems regarding the improper
construction of establishments along the town’s beaches.
He urged the local government
officials to properly observe the Philippine Clean Water Act, avoiding similar
violations in Boracay, and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
“The one that should
implement these laws is the local government unit. The city mayors, the
municipal mayors and the barangay captains. Sila
ang may responsibilidad nito,” he expressed.
At present, Mr. Cimatu said
the quality of air in Ilocos Norte is not yet a problem but he reminded the
province to still comply with the Philippine Clean Air Act.
Mr. Manotoc, for his part,
pledged to work hand-in-hand with the whole Ilocano community towards
protection of the province’s natural resources.
“Rest assured that the
Provincial Government and all of our good mayors will continue to be
eco-warriors and teach our kailian to highly
value our environment. We will continue to empower them and to protect the
natural resources that Ilocos Norte has been blessed with,” Mr. Manotoc stressed.
(Blessing
Angel Agliam)
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