A leading environmental group in Pampanga recently called on all local government units (LGUs) to reinforce programs on waste management and preventive health care, especially within the duration of the rainy season.
Alfonso “Sonny” Dobles, vice president of Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc. (ARAW-ACI), urged all Pampanga mayors and barangay chairmen on Monday (July 20) to strictly implement the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act or R.A. 9003 and the Clean Water Act or R.A. 9275.
Dobles explained the importance and wisdom behind the creation of these national laws – primarily to protect every citizen from danger and harm caused by all kinds of mismanaged waste, either solid or in liquid form, dumped on land or in water bodies.
“We need clean water to sustain life, including the lives of animals and plants. We need a healthy ecosystem to survive or else we will become extinct. The Clean Water Act provides legal and operational frameworks for properly managing our liquid wastes and septage, to prevent contamination in our soil and water resources. Kaya napaka-importante na maipatupad ito ng permanente para masiguro na ang tubig na ating iniinom at ginagamit ay malinis at ligtas,” Dobles said.
According to Dobles, indiscriminate and illegal dumping of wastes in open spaces is still monitored in many areas around Pampanga. He added that even worse, creeks and rivers are treated as landfills by irresponsible violators.
“Sa pag-ikot natin sa probinsya, kasama ang mga Nagkakaisang Guardians, marami pa rin tayong nakikitang basura na nakatambak sa mga open spaces, kalaunan, nagiging open dumpsite na talaga. At ang mas grabe ay ang pagtatapon ng basura sa mga ilog at sapa kagaya sa Abacan River, Balibago Creek, at Dau Creek,” Dobles said.
Dobles warned LGU officials to fulfill their duties by implementing the laws or else, they might be charged legally and administratively for negligence.
“Nakakalungkot isipin na ang mismong mga nanunungkulan ay tila ba manhid na o wala talagang pagpapahalaga sa buhay at kaligtasan ng mga tao, lalo na ng mga mahihirap. Kasi, madalas na ang mga mahiihirap nating kababayan ang naglalakad sa mga estero, binabaha ang mga bahay, nagkakasakit dala ng kontaminasyon mula sa basura, lalo na kapag ganitong panahon ng tag-ulan,” Dobles said.
Dobles said common diseases like leptospirosis, severe diarrhea, typhoid, and wound infections are prevalent during rainy season.
Earlier, an illegal open dumpsite in Barangay Calumpang, Mabalacat City was shut down by the municipal government after a fire caused heavy smoke that affected the surrounding communities. Issues of illegal dumping of wastes in open areas were also reported early this year in the towns of Sta. Ana and Arayat.
On the suspension of septage fees
Dobles said the suspension of septage or environmental fees is tantamount to disruption and non-implementation of the septage management program under the Clean Water Act of 2004. Pampanga LGUs that have suspended collection of septage fees are Angeles City, Magalang, Apalit, San Simon, and Arayat.
“Sinasabi ng mga LGUs na gusto lang nilang pag-aralan ang rates ng septage fees kung tama ba o nakakadagdag-pahirap sa publiko. Ayos lang naman yun, pero sana huwag patagalin masyado ang ginagawang pag-review dahil yan ay umiiral ng batas at ang programa ay dapat matagal ng ipinatupad, noong 2004 pa yan. Ang problema nitong mga LGUs na nagsuspinde, natural natigil ang programa at serbisyo sa pag-manage ng mga septic tanks at ng liquid waste., Ang resulta habang tumatagal, patuloy na nakokontamina ang ating mga aquifer o pinagkukuhanan ng tubig sa ilalim ng lupa,” Dobles said.
He added that he agrees with Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali, who earlier challenged the DENR to conduct an investigation on the compliance of local government units and private septage operators on the proper disposal of septic wastes generated by households and business establishments
“Dapat talaga na magkaruon ng ngipin ang batas at seryosohin ng DENR ang pagkastigo sa mgfa lumalabag sa batas,” Dobles said.
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