2nd Solid Waste Management Summit in Eastern Visayas slated this November

By MARIBEL MUNSAYAC
November 20, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Exploring appropriate waste disposal system and waste diversion strategy would be the focus of the slated 2nd Solid Waste Management Summit in Eastern Visayas on November 25 here.

The Regional Ecological Center (REC), chaired by EMB-8 Regional Director Letecia R. Maceda, would be spearheading the one-day event and is expected to be graced by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza with resource speakers from the National Solid Waste Management Commission.

Mainly, the summit is conducted to present ways and solutions among participating local government units and other stakeholders to reduce waste generation by presenting and introducing waste disposal options and resource recovery options in a gathering inspired by the theme “REC and enabled LGUs: Jointly Working on Resource Recovery and Proper Waste Disposal.”

According to EMB-8, this year’s summit is being centered on LGU participants since ment Summit is confined to Local Government Units which are in-charge in the management, collection and disposal of wastes in conformity with the provisions and standards set forth under R.A 9003 or the Solid Waster Management Act.

Among those to be tackled during the summit include a briefing on the role and responsibilities of the Regional Ecology Center, the status of the Solid Waste management implementation in the region and recent policies, issuances and guidelines on solid waste management.

Resource speakers would likewise be discussing on waste disposal options that would include experience sharing of Bais City on their Sanitary Landfill Design, the Southern Leyte Pacific Alliance Updates and Bio-Medical Waste Management.

Diversion options would also be presented during the summit. Diversion refers to activities, such as recycling and reuse, which reduce or eliminate the amount of solid wastes brought to waste disposal facilities.

Recycled products showcasing the best practices in solid waste management would also be on display during the event.

EMB-8 Regional Coordinator for Solid Waste Management Maribel Munsayac said the summit will also tackle issues addressing the proliferation of illegally obtained items, equipment and articles sold at junk shops and provide know-how in tracking an illegally obtained item, equipment and articles.

Also earlier, DENR Secretary Lito Atienza has ordered EMB to strictly monitor the Local Government Units' (LGUs) compliance on the safe closure and rehabilitation of open of controlled disposal facility and refrain them from using open dumpsites as traditionally done by most LGUs, which is prohibited under R.A 9003.