NSWMC, EMB-V conducts Writeshop for Sorsogon’s Provincial SWM Technical Working Group

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, September 9 (PIA) – The National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) in partnership with the Environmental Management Bureau-Bicol conducts starting today, September 9 until September 11, 2013 a Provincial Level Writeshop on the Development of the 10-Year Solid Waste Management (SWM) Plan for the Province of Sorsogon.

Held in Legazpi City, the 3-day writeshop aims to strengthen the capabilities of the provincial-LGU in implementing fully the Republic Act 9003 or the Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

EMB-V Regional Director Roberto Sheen said the writeshop on the development of the SWM Plan is one of the assistance offered by EMB and the NSWMC to its partners to carry out the government’s environmental programs specifically those relative to the implementation of RA 9003.

“This activity is another phase of the technical assistance being extended to the Local Government Units (LGUs). It aims to help the province and its Technical Working Group to compile the strategies and plans developed by each municipalities/cities and create a more comprehensive plan for the province that will address the issue(s) on solid waste management,” Dir. Sheen explained.

Prior to the conduct of this provincial activity, a writeshop entitled “Workshop  Design: Capability Building of Pilot Provinces on the Preparation of Provincial SWM Plan” was also conducted on July 11-13, this year, in Bacon District, Sorsogon City by the Solid Waste Management Section of the EMB-V of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

It was participated by the 14 municipalities and one component city of the pprovince of Sorsogon.  

The output of the SWM plan made by the respective LGUs of Sorsogon will serve as the basis in the preparation of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Plan.

Rule 6 section 2(a) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9003 mandates the PSWMB to develop a Provincial Solid Waste Management Plan from the submitted SWM Plans of the respective city and municipal SWMBs.

According to the IRR, PSWMB shall review and integrate the submitted plans of all its component cities and municipalities and ensure that the various plans complement each other, and have the requisite components. The PSWMB shall be submitted to the NSWMC for approval.

The Provincial Plan shall reflect the general program of action and initiatives of the provincial government in implementing a solid waste management program that would support the various initiatives of its component cities and municipalities.

Dir. Sheen said that the role of the province to work towards fulfilling their tasks as provided for by the RA 9003 is very significant, and at the end of the 3-day writeshop, it is expected that a Provincial SWM Plan will be crafted for approval by the NSWMC and eventually for implementation in Sorsogon. (BARecebido, PIA-5/Sorsogon)