COTABATO CITY — To help address the pressing issue of solid waste management in the Bangsamoro region, the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) through its Environment Management Services (EMS) has awarded financial assistance amounting to Php1.5 million each to the six (6) Local Government Units (LGUs) for the establishment of Sanitary Landfill and safe closure of dumpsite in their respective areas. The handing out of checks was held at the MENRE Regional Office, Cotabato City, on March 26.

“Maraming salamat po sa financial support ng MENRE-BARMM sa aming mga LGUs. Malaking tulong na ito sa amin at sa constituent’s ng LGU Lamitan in the realization of RA 9003 at maging maayos po yung community namin,” expressed by the representative of LGU Lamitan.

The six (6) recipient LGUs of the said financial assistance were Upi, Maguindanao del Norte; Upi, Maguindanao del Sur; Pualas, Lanao del Sur; Lamitan City, Basilan; Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; and Jolo, Sulu.

“Environmental protection has never been a responsibility of only one individual or only one entity. Protecting our only one planet is on top of all of our shoulders just the same as it’s our responsibility to take care of our Bangsamoro environment. This is why I have always been dedicated to collaborating with other stakeholders, such as the LGUs, and urge their participation in this environmental endeavor,” Minister Akmad A. Brahim said.

With the Special Development Fund 2021 as its fund source, the cash assistance turnover is in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement that MENRE and six LGUs have signed. The MOA has designated the LGUs to prepare the project plan, program of works, and standard specifications to be submitted to MENRE. Moreover, the LGUs are responsible for executing the approved plans, programs, and standards. On the other hand, MENRE will closely monitor the implementation of projects and provide technical assistance to the LGUs as required.

“We are taking the extra mile to really assist and help the LGUs para magampanan yung kanilang mandate pagdating sa solid waste management. It takes a collective effort para magampanan ang pag-alaga sa ating kapaligiran, hindi lamang ng LGUs kundi down to the constituents,” Bangsamoro Director General Atty. Badr E. Salendab stated in his remarks.

Furthermore, EMS Director Jalani Pamlian reiterated in his remarks the Ministry’s commitment to partnership and close coordination with the LGUs to achieve a clean, healthy, and resilient Bangsamoro region.

In attendance during the awarding were Minister Brahim, BDG Atty. Salendab, Director Pamlian, Chief Planning Officer Jessie Ondoy, and representatives from BPDA namely, Bai Alyanna P. Ibrahim, Norsha L. Lao, Abdulnasser S. Kamad, as well as representatives of the recipient LGUs.

As MENRE continues its commitment to sustainable waste management, collaboration between LGUs and communities remains pivotal to addressing the solid waste management problem in the region.