May 2022 polls a factor in DENR drive vs. open dumpsites; Antiporda explains why

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Usec. Benny D. Antiporda believes that the nearness of the May 2022 elections will work in favor of the agency in the race to shut down all open dumpsites by the end of the month.

In a virtual press conference, Antiporda reckoned that it would be a "huge setback" for the sitting official of the local government unit (LGU) to be charged by the DENR for failure to heed their call against open dumpsites.

"We are optimistic that we can shut down all of them (before the end of March)," said Antiporda, the Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns chief.

"Alam naman natin na malapit na ang election, sakali pong makasuhan po sila eh napakalaking dagok sa kanila nito. Kung kaya inaaksyunan din natin ito para once and for all eh matapos na itong problemang to (We all know that the elections are near, in case they get charged then this would be a huge setback for them. That's why we're acting on it to finish this problem once and for all)," he said.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu at the start of the year ordered that all open dumpsites must be closed by March 31, 2021.

"We will not wait for the next administration to act on this. Ngayon pa lang po kikilos na tayo (We will act now)," added Antiporda, with just two weeks to go before the lapse of the agency's self-imposed deadline.

He said Region IV-B and Region IV have the most remaining open dumpsites, with 28 and 19 respectively.

"Based on the information that we got a while ago, they are acting on it (already), trying to see to it na before the end of this month ay masara lahat yan (they would all get closed down)." Antiporda said he expects small, "pocket open dump(sites)" to mushroom in areas or LGUs that have closed their larger open dumpsites.

"We will run after you…I will personally go to your municipalities and cities to see to it that we will abide by the rule of RA (Republic Act) 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000)," he said.

The DENR says that so far, a total of 169 open dumpsites have been closed all over the country. Of the figure, 107 voluntarily closed, while 62 were issued cease and desist orders.