3 open dumpsites in Calabarzon closed by DENR

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has closed three open dumpsites in Calabarzon.

This is also under the order of DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu that all open dumpsites should be closed before March this year.

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The three closed dumpsites are in the towns of Nasugbu and Sto. Tomas in Batangas, and Tanza, Cavite.

An open dumpsite is a place where wastes are deposited without proper processing and can affect the nature and health of people.

Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 stipulates a strict ban on the operation of open dumpsites.

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DENR Calabarzon is now calling on the public to be responsible for waste disposal. It is said that segregation, recycling, and waste reduction should be practiced.

According to DENR Calabarzon Regional Executive Director Nonito Tamayo, they will intensify cooperation with various local governments for stronger enforcement of the law.

At the same time, clean-up activities and information, education, and communication campaigns will continue.

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The agency encourages the public to inform them of illegal activities related to nature.

You can provide information on the 8888 hotline number 09561825774/09198744369, or email r4a@denr.gov.ph.

Photos, videos, and other information can also be posted on DENR CALABARZON’s official Facebook page.

Also read: PH’s COVID-19 response ‘very good’ – Bong Go

DENR to ban plastic straws, stirrers soon

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources  (DENR) announced Wednesday that plastic soft drink straws and coffee stirrers would be banned in the Philippines soon.

The plastic straws and stirrers were included in the list of non-environmentally acceptable products (NEAP) as declared by the National Solid Waste Management Commission on Tuesday.

The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 or Republic Act 9003 states that items included in the NEAP should be banned as scheduled by the Commission.

It said the resolution was passed despite some Commission members opposed it like the Department of Trade and Industry, and the manufacturing and recycling sectors.

Urbanlinks reported that a “staggering 2.7 million tons of plastic waste are generated in the Philippines each year, 20 percent of which is estimated to end up in the ocean.”