CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has lauded the serious concern and prompt action of Governor Lilia ‘Nanay Baby” in resolving the gargantuan waste management problem of the province.

Lormelyn Claudio, regional director of the EMB, said the bureau appreciates the initiative of the governor to end the alarming garbage dilemma by initiating the establishment of a proposed sanitary landfill in Barangay Nabuklod, Floridablanca.

Reports have it that Mayor Eduardo Guerrero of Floridablanca has offered his 21-hectare private lot in Nabuklod to the governor for the construction of a sanitary landfill.

Claudio clarified that the proposed landfill will not be used immediately, as there are necessary and pertinent documents that should be processed before it could be opened.

She said the Mines and Geosciences Bureau has already conducted an ecological hazard study on the proposed site, but it also has to pass the environment impact assessment of the DENR.

The director said that based on the guidelines, the completion and processing of all needed documents and preparation should be done within 20 days before it can be pushed through.

While waiting for the landfill, Claudio said the province can use the Metro Clark Landfill inside the Clark Freeport Zone as a garbage dump.

Claudio said they were very pleased with the governor for taking the lead role in curbing the waste problem and proliferation of open dump sites, particularly at the Megadike and other idle areas in the province.

She added that most of the time, the Pampanga River and other major tributaries are being abused and used as garbage dumps. But now, she stressed the DENR-EMB is highly optimistic that this would be put to an end with the political will and enthusiasm showed by the local government officials led by Pineda.

With the lead role being played by the governor and through her partnership with the national agencies, Claudio said she sees no reason why the garbage problem would not be resolved for the next months and years of the Pineda administration.

The EMB director said the governor will convene on Tuesday all elected officials from the barangays, municipalities up to the province to discuss and explain the role of the local government units and their respective responsibilities in the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act as stipulated in Republic Act 9003.

“The good governor is on the right track as far as environment protection is concerned. Together, we can fulfill our mandate and mission for a better and environment friendly province of Pampanga,” she said.

Claudio said the governor is not only concerned with waste but is also working for the safety of our waters, tributaries and the Pampanga River. The governor, she furthered, is also looking for solutions on how to mitigate the perennial floods and the strengthening of the river dikes.