Sunday, July 3, 2011
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III's promises bear no fruit after his first year in office, said environmental advocates, who once perceived the Chief Executive as the most eco-friendly candidate in the last national elections.
EcoWaste Coalition, a grassroots environmental network, said the President failed to show adequate leadership in solving the country's longstanding problem on garbage.
The group, which gave the President a score of 2.65 points out of 10, said his government has failed to shut down "polluting" dumpsites and overturn costly "obsession" with technology fixes such as landfills and incinerators.
Specifically, the government ranked lowest in terms of integrating waste pickers in ecological solid waste management programs, enforcing the ban on waste incineration, and prohibiting the open burning of discards.
The administration likewise fell short in disallowing the entry of toxic waste, ensuring the environmentally sound management of hazardous waste materials such as electronic waste, and in directing the closure, cleanup and rehabilitation of illegal dumpsites.
EcoWaste said the low score should serve as a reminder to the government of not being remiss in its duty on zero waste resource management, according to its president Roy Alvarez.
For one, the group asked President Aquino to preside at least one full meeting of the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) to secure its budget and set direction.
EcoWaste also sought the President's initiative to hold fully accountable the laggards among the local chief executives in the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (Republic Act 9003).
More at:
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/07/03/group-hits-aquinos-lackluster-environmental-performance-164758Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=42060.0
