COTABATO CITY — BARMM-MENRE, together with representatives and focal persons from BARMM-Ministry of Local Government, discussed strategies on how the two Ministries can collaborate and extend technical assistance to 65 BARMM LGUs to comply with the obliged 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plan as mandated by RA 9003 or also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

As what was elaborated in the meeting on solid waste management, the 65 LGUs were not able to comply with the SWMP due to two primary reasons: 1) the non-existence of assigned MENREO in each LGU to manage, execute and assist in the formulation of the LGUs’ Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP); and 2) the lack of solid waste management plan preparation training imparted to the LGUs. Those stated, these LGUs haven’t prioritized the formulation of their respective SWMPs.

Thus, MENRE in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government will plan to conduct training on the formulation of 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plan in the 65 LGUs identified in the recent meeting. To make the capacity development be executed efficiently, the trainings will be held by batches and clusters.

On another note, the ENRE Ministry will look into the closing of open dumpsites as this is a moral obligation to the public by the Ministry to maintain and sustain a clean and healthy environment for all.

Joining BARMM-MENRE’s Dr. Norodin Salam (Executive Assistant III), Jessie Ondoy (Head of Planning), and Abdulkarim Macabantog (Director, EMB) in the solid waste management meeting today, April 11, 2019, are BARMM-Ministry of Local Government’s Tohammi Abas (LGOO V), Fausiah Abdula (Division Head, LGU MED), and Mauricio Civiles (DRR CA Focal Person).

BARMM-MENRE, headed by Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua, looks forward to work with BARMM-Ministry of Local Government in this endeavor to empower BARMM LGUs in support of the region’s vision to have a greener and climate-smart Bangsamoro.