MOA reduces trash by 50%

Homeowners of condominiums and subdivisions will have to reduce their garbage by half within a year under a new agreement signed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and 11 local government units in Metro Manila yesterday.

The memorandum of agreement (MOA) approved by Environment Secretary Ramon Paje and 11 Metro mayors paved the way for the establishment of an ecological solid waste management (ESWM) system for homeowners associations of subdivisions and condominiums.

The system involves “segregation at source, segregated collection and establishment of a materials recovery facility (MRF),” according to the MOA.

“The homeowners associations should also have, within the same period, diverted at least 50 per cent of their waste and publicized reports on issued ordinances, violations and model practitioners,” it said.

On the other hand, the local governments shall be responsible for identifying a nongovernment or any private sector organization as its partner in identifying the appropriate ESWM system to be adopted by the subdivisions or municipalities.

They will also be in charge of deploying counterpart personnel, including “environmental police,” to barangays who will assist in the implementation of the technical, enforcement and financial aspects of the project.

“This partnership we are set to forge with all local executives of Metro Manila is proof that the DENR is serious and relentless in the pursuit of our mandate in solid waste management and we are committed to extend the necessary assistance to those who will help us implement it,” Paje said.

According to the DENR chief, under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the responsibility of establishing an ESWM system fell on local governments.

The participating cities and town are Caloocan City, Pasay City, Taguig City, Pateros town, Marikina City, Mandaluyong City, Malabon City, Valenzuela City, Quezon City, Manila and Parañaque City.

A total of 4,717 homeowners associations in the areas have been tapped for the project.

Metro Manila generates more than 8,700 tons of garbage daily based on figures from the National Solid Waste Management Commission.