Laoag City—Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu sees the potential of Ilocos Norte as the first province to establish sanitary landfills in each municipality.
“I am looking forward to that day na lahat-lahat ng mgamunicipalities sa Ilocos Norte ay may sanitary landfills,” he said in a meeting organized by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) headed by Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall on August 8, 2019.
Attendees include local government executives, city and municipal environment officers, and different environmental stakeholders.
According to Mr. Cimatu, Ilocos Norte would encourage other provinces to establish their own disposal areas if it would set an exemplary action in addressing improper waste management.
Out of 21 municipalities, he lauded the officials of Bacarra, Banna, Nueva Era, Paoay, Piddig, San Nicolas, and Vintar for having operational sanitary landfills. Meanwhile, the landfills of the municipalities of Bangui, Dingras and Sarrat are still under construction.
Moreover, the Municipality of Pagudpud was cited for its utilization of materials recovery facility (MRF) in an effort to lessen solid wastes.
Included in the concerns discussed during the meeting was the process of acquiring Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) for qualified sanitary landfill and merging of some municipalities in the utilization of such, and the enforcement of environmental laws.
Strict implementation of environmental laws
During the meeting, Mr. Cimatu cited the Municipality of Pagudpud for its minor environmental problems regarding the improper construction of establishments along the town’s beaches.
He urged the local government officials to properly observe the Philippine Clean Water Act, avoiding similar violations in Boracay, and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
“The one that should implement these laws is the local government unit. The city mayors, the municipal mayors and the barangay captains. Sila ang may responsibilidad nito,” he expressed.
At present, Mr. Cimatu said the quality of air in Ilocos Norte is not yet a problem but he reminded the province to still comply with the Philippine Clean Air Act.
Mr. Manotoc, for his part, pledged to work hand-in-hand with the whole Ilocano community towards protection of the province’s natural resources.
“Rest assured that the Provincial Government and all of our good mayors will continue to be eco-warriors and teach our kailian to highly value our environment. We will continue to empower them and to protect the natural resources that Ilocos Norte has been blessed with,” Mr. Manotoc stressed. (Blessing Angel Agliam)