The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will close all open dumpsites in the Philippines by March.
This was confirmed by DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu in compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the said law, Sec. Cimatu reported that they have reduced the number of open dumpsites from 385 in 2017 to 233 in 2020.
The National Waste Management Council has filed a case against 55 local officials over the continuous operation of open dumpsites. Moreover, DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda encouraged the local government units (LGUs) to partner with private companies in order to operate sanitary landfills. – PTV News
