DENR eyes private sector cooperation to curb garbage waste

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is eyeing private sector cooperation as one of the long-term solutions to address pollution in drainage systems and waterways.

The agency cited the use of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) in this approach.

Under the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, large enterprises must take responsibility for the life cycle of their plastic wastes. They are responsible for the recovery of their plastic packaging waste.

“Dati ang solid waste management natin, puro local government lang 'yan, sila ang may mandato diyan. Pero ngayon dito, pinaigting natin 'yung private sector participation. Sila na ngayon ang nag-a-address ng mga plastic waste,” Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said.

(Before, our solid waste management system, it is all local government, they are the ones with that mandate. But here, we fortify private sector participation. They will now address the plastic waste.)

Meanwhile, the PENCAS creates a framework to account for the true value of natural resources and the ecosystem they serve. This would allow the government to recognize the environmental costs of damage.

The DENR said that it is utilizing 196 trash traps to collect floating waste, while mobilizing 1,500 estero rangers and rover warriors to monitor and clean esteros and rivers in Metro Manila.

“With government, businesses, local governments and the public working together, the Department is working to shift the focus from repeatedly cleaning up garbage to preventing improper waste management from becoming a recurring threat to waterways, communities and the environment,” Cuna said. —VAL, GMA News