The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has closed down a six-hectare open dump in Tanza, Cavite, for violation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
With help from the National Bureau of Investigation and the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau, the department locked the entry points of the privately owned open dump in Barangay Sahud-Ulan.
Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns Benny Antiporda, who led the operation, said the government would not hesitate to arrest operators of illegal waste disposal sites and to run after all open dump operators.
“This is how serious the government is when it comes to the illegal operation of these open dumpsites,” Antiporda said.
“Let’s deal with them head on. Declare total war against them.”
Based on the report of the DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Cavite, the dump had accumulated a three-meter high or 180,000-cubic meter mix of solid waste materials.
RA 9003, particularly Section 37, strictly prohibits the establishment and maintenance of open dumpsites, which pose serious threatd to the environment and public health.
While waiting for the results of the investigation, Antiporda said the DENR woulf invite the local government officials of Tanza to explain the existence of the open dump.
They would be informed of the possible repercussions if it was proven that they were involved in the operation, Antiporda said.
“We will investigate and look into it if they have knowledge on the operation of this open dumpsite. If found that they are involved in the operation of this, we will file cases against them,” he said.
He instructed the local environment office of Tanza to prepare a rehabilitation plan for the area.
Antiporda is the alternate chairman of the National Solid Waste Management Commission.
He says the operation marks the celebration of Zero Waste Month and the 20th year of the enactment of RA 9003.