CEBU GOVERNOR Hilario P. Davide III has given the green light for the use of a P40-million fund to help municipal and city governments set up garbage disposal programs. Mr. Davide, in a statement, said he will convene the Solid Waste Management Board to discuss with mayors ways to help them comply with Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law. Mayor Ronald G. Cesante of Dalaguete town, who was among those who sought assistance from the provincial government, said several officials are already facing cases before the Ombudsman for noncompliance to RA 9003. “So far only few cities and towns have sanitary landfills. Lack of funds and the high cost of operating the facilities are the reasons LGUs (local government units) are having a hard time complying with RA 9003,” he said. Meanwhile, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office officer-in-charge Baltazar S. Tribunalo, Jr. said there is also an allocation in the 2018 proposed budget for assisting LGUs with waste management programs. Cebu has 44 municipalities and seven cities under its jurisdiction.

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