The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is backing proposed measures that seek to overhaul the country’s waste management system by moving away from simple disposal and toward recycling, resource recovery, and climate-resilient practices.
During a Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change hearing led by Sen. Raffy Tulfo on Monday, DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said the proposed measures would strengthen enforcement of waste regulations, address growing electronic and plastic waste concerns, and encourage greater participation from local governments, industries, and communities.
“We also look forward to collaborating and transforming our waste management system from a model of simple disposal to one of strict compliance, circular resource recovery, and climate resilience,” Cuna said.
Tulfo said the hearing aimed to examine the country’s garbage problem from waste generation and reduction to collection, disposal, landfill safety, and accountability.
He said improper waste management contributes to public health risks, flooding, environmental damage, and other community concerns.
“Hindi po ito simpleng problema,” Tulfo said.
The hearing tackled several proposed measures, including bills on computer recycling, single-use plastic regulation, waste importation, and amendments to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
Cuna expressed support for Senate Bill No. 1167, which seeks to establish local cleanup teams and increase penalties for violations of Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
The DENR chief said local government units remain at the forefront of waste management efforts and that stronger penalties could help discourage environmental violations.
The agency also backed proposals aimed at regulating electronic waste and reducing plastic pollution, saying these measures would help address waste problems at their source.
Cuna said the Philippines is projected to generate around 23.6 million metric tons of solid waste annually, equivalent to about 61,000 metric tons of garbage every day.
Metro Manila alone produces approximately 10,000 metric tons of waste daily, accounting for about one-fourth of the country’s municipal solid waste output.
However, only around 52 percent of waste nationwide is collected, while the remaining waste may end up being improperly disposed of or burned, according to Cuna.
The country currently has 397 operational sanitary landfills serving 805 local government units, including facilities shared by groups of cities and municipalities.
On proposals seeking to prohibit foreign waste imports, Cuna said the DENR supports measures that would prevent the Philippines from becoming a destination for other countries’ garbage.
“The Philippines is not and will never be a dumping ground for the world’s refuse,” he said.
However, Cuna said lawmakers should also consider legitimate imports of recyclable and secondary materials used by local industries.
He said these industries provide employment opportunities for about 63,000 workers, both directly and indirectly.
Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros highlighted recent landfill collapses and the reported dumping of waste on Aeta ancestral land in Subic, Zambales as examples of the need for stronger monitoring, enforcement, and accountability.
The Senate hearing also discussed landfill incidents in Cebu and Rizal and examined whether existing laws remain sufficient to address the country’s increasing waste generation.
Photo courtesy of Journal Online
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