“Tamang-tama po ining meeting kan Solid Waste Management Board kan province dahil halos gabos na nin local government unit ay naga-undergo nin enhancement kan saindang development plan. So kun ano man an priority o assistance asin alignment kan province, magkakaigwa nin idea ngunyan si bawat munisipyo kun ano man an dapat na i-prioritize ninda sa saindang comprehensive development plan,” said Peachie S. Millare, Local Government Operations Officer V of the Department of Interior and Local Government Camarines Sur (DILG).
Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act” providing for an ecological solid waste management program, creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties, and appropriating funds, the Provincial Solid Waste Management Board (PSWMB) convened. The meeting was presided by Board Member Wilfredo Julio Oliva, Committee Chairman on Environment and Disaster, on August 16, 2022 at the Villa Del Rey Function Hall, Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur.
The PSWMB meeting aims for coordination, monitoring, and communication between government agencies, offices, and LGUs in the province to adopt a systematic, comprehensive, and ecological solid waste management program particularly for the development of the 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) established by every municipality.
Attendees of the board meeting were municipal mayors, representatives of Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices, Provincial Engineer’s Office, Provincial Health Office, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau Region 5 (DENR-EMBR5), Provincial Environment Management Office-Camarines Sur, DILG, Department of Education, Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine Information Agency, and Department of Trade and Industry.
Four agenda were laid out in the said board meeting. Discussed by the secretariat is the Reconstitution of the PWSM Board and its duties that aims to ensure the long term management of solid wastes within the jurisdiction of the province and to integrate various solid waste management plans and strategies of the component cities or municipalities of the province. The LGUs’ status of implementation of the 10-year SWMP pursuant to RA No. 9003 Compliances of CamSur were also presented by the DENR-EMBR5. The LGUs were also informed by the representative from the DILG of their 10-year SWMP being subjected for approval and annually reviewed and updated by the SWMB in accordance with the Memorandum Circular 2011-17 known as “Strict Enforcement and Implementation of the Provision of RA No. 9003”. Lastly, the updates regarding the write-shop schedules of Municipal Solid Waste Management plans for the finalization was also discussed.
Before the PSWMB meeting ended, other concerns regarding the PSWM was addressed, such as clarifications, updated status, and announcements of upcoming environmental events where LGUs were encouraged to participate.
To ensure the protection of the constituents’ health and safety through the improvement of air and water quality as well as the environment through reducing pollution, the effective and efficient solid waste management, particularly garbage segregation and disposal, is among the main responsibilities of the LGUs along with harmonizing and aligning with the priorities and provisions of the government agencies and the Provincial Government. Thus, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, under the leadership of Governor Luigi Villafuerte, supports and takes necessary actions in protecting the public health and environment.
