Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
10 LGUs considered for 60-M euro grant for circular economy, solid waste management efforts
Philippines
National
10 LGUs considered for 60-M euro grant for circular economy, solid waste management efforts
10 LGUs considered for 60-M euro grant for circular economy, solid waste management efforts
Published Aug 2, 2023 09:38 am
Ten local government units (LGUs) will be considered for the 60-million euro grant for local circular economy, solid waste management, and climate change mitigation measures.
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga (Photo courtesy of PCO)
Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said the government has identified 10 LGUs for the implementation of the projects under the 60 million euro grant recently secured by the Philippines. Highly urbanized LGUs being considered include Baguio City, Pasig City, Quezon City, Caloocan City, Davao City, as well as Ormoc City, Island Garden City of Samal, Metro Iloilo and the islands of Palawan and Siargao. "The details of which still have to be worked out and defended at the NEDA-ICC (National Economic Development Authority-Investment Coordinating Committee). So, we’re in the process of actually putting the necessary documentation together,” Loyzaga said during a Palace briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 2. “We are targeting to have all our submissions ready hopefully for assessment by the NEDA Board by November of this year,” she added. Although the details of the projects are not yet complete, Loyzaga said that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has identified the potential LGUs because they are the frontliners in solid waste management efforts in the country, particularly in controlling methane releases from solid waste landfills. While awaiting the NEDA approval of the submissions, the DENR will be focusing on its own efforts to push for green economy based on existing policies and regulations. “In the meantime though, we are embarking on our own efforts to green our economy already, given that we have in place the legislation that we need especially to oblige those large enterprises that actually are the main sources of plastic packaging to begin their collection and to begin their proper disposal of their packaging products,” Loyzaga said. The Philippines generates about 61,000 metric tons of solid waste daily, with about up to 24 percent composed of plastic waste. Filipinos consume and utilize over 160 million plastic sachet packets and over 40 million shopping bags and thin film bags a day, materials that are being prevented by the government from reaching the country’s marine and coastal areas because of their harmful effect. The DENR signed a joint declaration for the Green Economy Program in the Philippines during the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week.
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga (Photo courtesy of PCO)
Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said the government has identified 10 LGUs for the implementation of the projects under the 60 million euro grant recently secured by the Philippines. Highly urbanized LGUs being considered include Baguio City, Pasig City, Quezon City, Caloocan City, Davao City, as well as Ormoc City, Island Garden City of Samal, Metro Iloilo and the islands of Palawan and Siargao. "The details of which still have to be worked out and defended at the NEDA-ICC (National Economic Development Authority-Investment Coordinating Committee). So, we’re in the process of actually putting the necessary documentation together,” Loyzaga said during a Palace briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 2. “We are targeting to have all our submissions ready hopefully for assessment by the NEDA Board by November of this year,” she added. Although the details of the projects are not yet complete, Loyzaga said that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has identified the potential LGUs because they are the frontliners in solid waste management efforts in the country, particularly in controlling methane releases from solid waste landfills. While awaiting the NEDA approval of the submissions, the DENR will be focusing on its own efforts to push for green economy based on existing policies and regulations. “In the meantime though, we are embarking on our own efforts to green our economy already, given that we have in place the legislation that we need especially to oblige those large enterprises that actually are the main sources of plastic packaging to begin their collection and to begin their proper disposal of their packaging products,” Loyzaga said. The Philippines generates about 61,000 metric tons of solid waste daily, with about up to 24 percent composed of plastic waste. Filipinos consume and utilize over 160 million plastic sachet packets and over 40 million shopping bags and thin film bags a day, materials that are being prevented by the government from reaching the country’s marine and coastal areas because of their harmful effect. The DENR signed a joint declaration for the Green Economy Program in the Philippines during the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week.