Tuguegarao City—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 has reminded the agency officials of the use of locally produced reusable water bottles instead of the prohibited single-use plastics such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles in line with measures on solid waste management.
Gwendolyn Bambalan, DENR Region 2 executive director, said in their executive committee meeting that environment officers in the region should be proactive in promoting environmental management, particularly within the regional government center here.
“Let us encourage other government agencies to be role models on cleanliness and proper waste disposal,” Bambalan said.
To intensify solid waste management, she said the DENR and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) will be preparing mechanisms to promote environmental management among government agencies within the government center.
Bambalan noted that as the lead and oversight agency in the implementation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, the EMB was ordered to strictly monitor the compliance with the law of local government units and other government agencies. Brenda Jocson
“We should know the data on how many LGUs have issued ordinances and monitor the implementation of those ordinances. We should also convince other local chief executives to support us in our campaign for proper waste disposal,” she said.
Meanwhile, Bambalan has earlier issued a memorandum order to all regional and field officials to observe zero single-use disposable materials in the workplace as well as in the respective homes and communities, encouraging the use of practical alternative materials such as eco-friendly and reusable bags and refillable glass bottles.