JAN.

29, 2015

NR # 3726B

Solon seeks inquiry on the status of the

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000
A lawmaker has asked the House Committee on Ecology to conduct an inquiry on the
status and implementation of Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act of 2000.
Rep. Leah S. Paquiz (Party-list, ANG NARS) sought the inquiry through House
Resolution 1777, saying there is a need to assess and evaluate the implementation of RA 9003 in
order to ascertain the application, scope, effectiveness, efficiency and success of the ecological
solid waste management program.
The present environmental solid waste crisis such as the more than 6000 tons of wastes
generated daily by Metro Manila alone calls for immediate action considering the peril it gives to
life that affects human health and decline of natural resources and degradation of environment
that aggravates climate change, Paquiz said.
According to Paquiz, Section 2 of RA 9003 mandates for the adoption of a systematic,
comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program that targets solid waste
avoidance and volume reduction through source reduction and waste minimization measures
while giving primordial consideration to and ensuring the protection of the public health and
environment.
Paquiz said Section 2 (d) of the same law mandated to ensure the proper segregation,
collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the formulation and
adoption of the best environmental practice in ecological waste management excluding
incineration.
While Section 3 (dd) of RA 9003 provides that resource recovery shall refer to the
collection, extraction or recovery of recyclable materials from the waste stream for the purpose of
recycling, generating energy or producing a product suitable for beneficial use, provided that
such resource recovery facilities exclude incineration, Paquiz said.
To ensure the effective implementation of RA 9003, Paquiz said various offices was
created such as the Solid Waste Management Commission specifically tasked to fund and study
standards, criteria and guidelines for the promulgation and implementation of an integrated
national solid waste management program.
She said Section 7 of the law established the National Ecology Center under the
Commission which shall provide consulting, information, training and networking services for
the implementation of the provisions of this Act and promote the development of a recycling,
market through the establishment of a national recycling network that will enhance the
opportunity to recycle.

Further, Paquiz cited Chapter 6, Section 48, Paragraph 1 of RA 9003, which prohibits the
littering, throwing, dumping of waste matters in public places, such as roads, sidewalks, canals,
esteros or parks, and establishment, or causing or permitting the same.
While the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reinforced the same by
issuing Regulation Number 99-006 that prohibits littering and throwing of garbage or any kind of
waste in open or public places, it also requires all business establishments, public or private, to
maintain the cleanliness of their frontages and immediate surroundings, Paquiz stressed.
Paquiz also cited Section 10 of RA 9003, which provides that the LGUs shall be primarily
responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Act within their
respective jurisdiction.
Segregation and collection of solid waste shall be conducted at the barangay level
specifically for biodegrable, compostable and reusable wastes, provided that the collection of
non-recyclable materials and special wastes shall be the responsibility of the municipality or
city, Paquiz said.
Paquiz said these laws and policies seek the much needed adoption of the best
environmental practices in ecological waste management and explicitly excludes waste
incineration as an ecological option considering that polluting disposal facilities are major
sources of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere, which adds to global warming. (30) lvc