The permanent waste problem in Metro Manila has been blamed again for decades of planning for solid waste management, Home Affairs Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” C. Remulla said Tuesday.
During the later discussions of the country, Mr. Remulla made this statement, citing the lack of cohesion and unified plans for how local government units (LGUs) deal with their solid waste.
“ Mayroon Tayong Nagtatambak Sa Rizal; Mayroon Tayong Nagtatambak Sa Quezon City; Mayroong Nagtatambak Hanggang Capas, Tarlac [We have some cities dumping in Rizal; some in Quezon City; and even some as far as Capas, Tarlac],” said Mr. Remulla.
“Dahil SA’s Inefficient ANG Program Natin Over the past 30 years, SA Solid Waste Management, ANG MGA Local Government Department Ngayon Ay Nahirapan SA Collection System [Because our planning for solid waste management over the past 30 years has been inefficient, local government units are now struggling with the collection system],” he added.
The Home Secretary also said that garbage trucks have encountered difficulties in accessing the dump due to insufficiently coordinated waste disposal, as each area they crosses enforces their own restrictions.
“dapat diyan kasi mehoon tayong tayong system approaches NA East, West, North and…Sa Buong [We need a systematic approach that east, west, north, and the whole] Metro Manila and the South. ” said Mr. Remra.
He also stressed the need to revisit the 1991 Local Government Code to establish a more comprehensive approach to waste management, rather than a decentralized system where each LGU is responsible for its own waste.
“The wording of local government regulations is one of the biggest obstacles in government planning waste management, which we have to revisit,” Mr Remulla said.
A World Bank report shows that the waste collection rate in Metro Manila is about 60%, lower than that in Southeast Asian cities such as Jakarta and Bangkok, at 70%.
The report also said that uncollected parts of the waste, mainly plastic, often end up falling on rivers and waterways, indicating a lack of effective collection systems in the country’s capital.
Mr Remulla called for improvements in regulations regarding waste collection to better mobilize shackles and municipalities.
On Friday, he added that the mayor of Metro Manila plans to meet to discuss the institutionalization of discipline measures for individuals who are littered. – EDG Adrian A. Eva
