The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s commitment to strictly monitor the proper waste disposal by Local Government Units (LGUs) as part of the efforts to lessen pollution in the country. This move is in line with the State’s responsibility to ensure improved waste management and reduction to protect public health and the environment as outlined in the Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Since the start of the pandemic, the amount of medical waste has tremendously increased due to the need for face masks and face shields. The use of protective gears pose additional burden to the environment. Further, the improper management of healthcare wastes can contribute to the transmission of the Covid-19 virus. Stricter monitoring at the LGU level can help ensure proper management practices to alleviate landfill issues and to prevent further spread of virus.

CHR also notes the DENR’s effort to address the need for additional sanitary landfills (SLFs) to cater to all the residual waste of LGUs. The agency is hiring additional geologists and civil and sanitary engineers to assist LGUs in finding suitable areas for SLFs. Currently, the Philippines only has 245 SLFs that serve 478 LGUs, which is 29 percent of cities and municipalities nationwide. Considering the urgency of this issue, we look forward to the fast-tracking of sustainable solid waste management solutions.

It is commendable that efforts are being done to improve waste disposal, which is crucial in protecting the people’s health and overall well-being and in ensuring food and water safety. Proper waste management is essential in upholding the right to health and clean, healthy environment. May this provide the momentum for LGUs to intensify their waste management efforts from the communities down to households. For sustainability, we also hope that this effort ensures inclusion and access of common people to the waste disposal system.

As we continue to fight the pandemic, let us endeavor to minimize the long-term risks to human and environmental health to achieve genuine recovery. ###