Manila: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Monday supported proposed measures aimed at shifting the country's waste management system from simple disposal toward recycling, resource recovery, and climate resilience.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a hearing led by Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change chairperson Sen. Raffy Tulfo, DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna expressed that the bills would strengthen enforcement, address electronic and plastic waste, and promote greater participation from local governments, industries, and communities. 'We also look forward to collaborating and transforming our waste management system from a model of simple disposal to one of strict compliance, circular resource recovery, and climate resilience,' Cuna stated.
Tulfo highlighted the hearing's focus on examining the full cycle of the country's garbage problem-from reducing waste generation and improving waste management to addressing landfill safety and accountability. He pointed out that garbage contributes to disease, flooding, environmental degradation, and disasters in communities, emphasizing the complexity of the issue.
Cuna expressed support for Senate Bill No. 1167, which would establish local cleanup teams and increase fines for violations of Republic Act 9003. He noted that local government units are at the front lines of waste management and that higher penalties would serve as a stronger deterrent against environmental violations.
The DENR also supported the proposed National Computer Recycling Act and the regulation of single-use plastics, which Cuna stated would help the country tackle the rising volume of electronic waste and curb plastic pollution at its source. He highlighted that the Philippines is projected to generate about 23.6 million metric tons of solid waste annually, or around 61,000 metric tons daily. Metro Manila alone generates some 10,000 metric tons of garbage each day, accounting for roughly one-fourth of the country's municipal solid waste. Only about 52 percent of waste nationwide is collected, with the rest potentially being improperly dumped or burned.
Cuna noted that the country currently has 397 operational sanitary landfills serving 805 local government units, including facilities shared by clusters of cities and municipalities. On proposals to ban foreign waste, Cuna affirmed the DENR's support for measures preventing the country from becoming a destination for garbage from abroad, asserting that 'The Philippines is not and will never be a dumping ground for the world's refuse.' However, he urged lawmakers to consider legitimate imports of recyclable and secondary materials used by local industries, which employ about 63,000 workers directly and indirectly.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros emphasized the necessity for stronger monitoring, enforcement, and accountability, citing recent landfill collapses and the dumping of garbage on Aeta ancestral land in Subic, Zambales. The hearing also addressed landfill incidents in Cebu and Rizal and evaluated the adequacy of existing laws in managing the growing volume of garbage.
