Zero waste advocates anticipate speedier response to citizens’ complaints relating to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, following the government’s adoption of a new online system of monitoring the local government units’ (LGUs) compliance with the law.
“We welcome EMB’s (Environmental Management Bureau) ongoing efforts to optimize online systems in pursuit of its mission to protect, restore and enhance environmental quality and in line with the recent presidential directive,” EcoWaste Coalition zero waste campaigner Jove Benosa said.
“We hope that essential information, including actions taken by the EMB and the LGUs, will also be available online in recognition of the public’s right to know,” he added.
EMB Director William Cuñado last week unveiled a “simpler and faster” online reporting system to efficiently monitor the compliance of LGUs to the Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
About 307 environmental monitoring and enforcement officers (ENMOs) nationwide were tapped to utilize the new reporting system.
Unlike the previous system where monitoring reports reached EMB offices days after the incident, the new online system provides real-time reporting, allowing for quick response by concerned LGUs, the EMB explained.
Under RA 9003, the “LGUs shall be primarily responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Act within their respective jurisdictions.”
The same law states that “segregation and collection of solid waste shall be conducted at the barangay level specifically for biodegradable, compostable and reusable wastes,” while “the collection of non-recyclable materials and special wastes shall be the responsibility of the municipality or city.”
According to the EMB, ENMOs have been deployed nationwide since 2017 to provide assistance to LGUs, particularly barangays, in establishing an effective solid waste management program and strengthen the enforcement of other environmental laws and regulations.
The deployment of ENMOs is in line with the implementation of the Solid Waste Enforcement and Education Program or SWEEP, which supports the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in developing systems and mechanisms for improved monitoring and enforcement of environmental laws through strengthened partnership with LGUs and other stakeholders.