DARAGA, Albay—The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (Menro) here has warned all barangay chairmen against nonadherence to the strict implementation of waste management programs, particularly the “no segregation, no collection” policy.
Menro Chief Henry Jacob, in a meeting with chairmen of the 54 villages last week, said there is no exemption as far as the full implementation of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, is concerned.
“We are all required to make sure that in every barangay, we have the materials recovery facility [MRF],” he said.
Jacob said communities should be disciplined on garbage disposal. Violators, including barangay officials, must be penalized for negligence.
He said the Barangays of Malabog and Busay were adjudged as models for 100-percent compliance with environmental solid waste management policies.
He also said their goal is to make all villages compliant in fulfillment of their promise in the 10-year municipal solid-waste management plan.
Jacob called for regular environmental inspection in every subvillage and the conduct of information and education campaign among villagers.
He added that the Department of the Interior and Local Government municipal office is regularly monitoring the compliance with RA 9003. Meanwhile, he alerted the barangay chairman of Mi-isi, which is located along the slope of Mayon Volcano, regarding the rampant illegal quarrying in the area.
“We will act on it immediately and file charges against those responsible. Our main concern, this time, is to prevent the possible lahar flows toward populated areas due to continuous quarrying,” he said.
Image credits: Office of the Mayor, Daraga/PNA