The city’s lack of adequate and efficient waste disposal system is a serious concern that requires immediate attention. The open dumpsite in Barangay Candau-ay beside Banica river has been condemned by many environmental groups and as a matter of fact has already received a Cease and Desist order (CDO) by the DENR for violating provisions regarding sanitary landfills inculcated in the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001 (Article 6, Section 36-41) and the Sanitation Code (Presidential Decree 856).
In lieu of this, Dr. Jovito Salonga Center for Law and Development of Silliman University and the College of Law held a roundtable discussion on Solid Waste Management, Sanitation and Hygiene last April 25, 2011 at the Salonga Conference Room of Silliman University. The discourse was intended to serve as an initial stride on solving the sanitary landfill problems of Dumaguete city and its neighbouring towns.
The discussion started with a short presentation on the mandates to LGUs on Solid Waste Management inculcated in various DENR Administrative Orders, Memorandum Circulars, Presidential Decrees, and RA 9003. This was presented by Ms. Kenny Hotingoy, a freshman law student.
Thereafter, representatives from Sibulan and Valencia shared their concerns regarding the implementation of RA 9003 in their respective municipalities. Sibulan Representative said that they have partially complied with the mandates of RA 9003. The municipality have ceased the operation of the open dumpsite in Cangmating and that all their barangays have their respective MRF. They expressed their interest to merge with the city in establishing a sanitary landfill site in their municipality if there is a good or qualified property for said SLF. Representatives from ENRD and Atty. Maxino shared the same sentiments that there must be a strict implementation of the ordinance as well as the continuous information, education and consultation to be conducted to business establishments, academe, barangays officials and communities involved in solid waste management.
In conclusion, the group promulgated two action plans. First, that Mrs. Teves will serve as the focal person to oversee the solid waste management project involving Dumaguete, Bacong, Valencia, Sibulan and Dauin. Together with Atty. Mikhail Maxino, they will have to negotiate with the Mayor of Dauin for a possible site of the sanitary landfill in the municipality. Meanwhile, Atty. Banquerigo, was assigned to look for a suitable lot in Sibulan for an alternative landfill site. The second action plan was to request the City DILG to set a memo mandating each barangay to strictly implement a system of garbage waste collection and segregation at their respective barangay level as mandated by RA 9003.
Among those present during the roundtable discussion were; Mercy Teves and Lucena Amaro from ENRD; Kagawad Alfredo Janayan of Barangay Candau-ay; Jeffrey Dagooc, Earl Tale and Atilano Dagoy from LGU of Valencia; Atty. Mark Christofell Banquerigo, Marife Cabajon, Conception Rosales and Roy Estorco from LGU of Sibulan; Arturo Noble of LGU Bacong; and from LGU of Dumaguete Vice Mayor Allan Cordova, Farley Villariza,ENRO Rogelio Clamonte and Felix Ablir Jr. of DILG;. The discussion was facilitated by Atty. Mikhail Maxino, SU Dean of the College of Law and Chairman of the Environmental Desk of the Salonga Center and assisted by the Salonga Center Director, Atty. Myrish Cadapan-Antonio and volunteers, Gracelyn Regillano, Ingrid Tinagan and vibrant secretary, Ginggay Alviola.
The group decided to request the Salonga Center to spearhead another roundtable discussion, this time, with the Local Chief executives/Mayors of Dumaguete, Sibulan, Valencia, Bacong, and Dauin, sometime on May 11, 2011 at the same venue to further discuss matters relating to solid waste management and the proposed sanitary landfill for the city and the four neighbouring towns
