The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) called on local government units (LGUs) to strengthen their commitment to proper waste management amid recent public complaints over uncollected garbage.
In a press statement sent late Monday, the DENR emphasized the critical role of Republic Act No. 9003, or the Solid Waste Management Act, in safeguarding public health and protecting the environment.
Under this law, LGUs are mandated to develop, implement, and enforce solid waste management plans, which must be approved by the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC).
“The NSWMC, the body tasked with ensuring compliance with RA 9003 will take appropriate action to ensure implementation of the law. This may include investigation and recommendation of appropriate administrative or criminal cases,” the DENR said.
According to the agency, effective waste management is not just a legal obligation but a vital responsibility to ensure a sustainable future.
The DENR reaffirmed its readiness to provide technical assistance to LGUs to help them fulfill their duties under the law.
About 89 percent of LGUs nationwide—or 1,416 out of 1,592, including all 17 local governments in Metro Manila—have secured approval for their solid waste management plans.
The DENR underscored the importance of collaboration in improving waste management practices.
“We must all work collaboratively to consistently enhance our waste management practices and uphold our environmental responsibilities for the benefit of current and future generations,” the agency concluded in its statement.
The DENR statement follows recent reports of trash that piled up in several streets in Metro Manila after the holiday season.
