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Joint operation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led by USEC for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Unit Concerns BENNY ANTIPORDA and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – Environmental Crime Division (ECD) Re: Illegal open dumpsite in Sahud Ulan, Tanza, Cavite.

Today [14 January 2021], a six (6) hectares open dumpsite (OD) situated in a private land owned by Harmony Homes has been issued a CEASE and DESIST order from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in violation of Republic Act No. 9003, Presidential Decree 1586 and their implementing rules and regulations. 

The operation was led by the NBI-ECD with assistance provided from the line bureaus, field offices and partners of DENR namely; DENR Central Office represented by USEC Benny Antiporda; DENR Task Force headed by Nilo B. Tamoria; EMB Calabarzon, PEMU represented by Adan Umipig, PENRO Cavite led by Ronita A. Unlayao, and Ecowaste coalition.

The dumpsite clearly violated the provisions under the RA 9003 1. Open dumping; 2. Not ensuring segregation of different types of solid wastes for re-use, recycling and composting; and 3. It likewise violates clean air act as the burning is observed during the operation.

USEC Benny Antiporda wants to close all OD within a year and start adapting to a sanitary landfill (SLF). Some may oppose the use of SLF but this is the feasible way to manage our solid wastes as USEC Antiporda quoted “Lesser Evil”. This is just an alternative method while we are waiting for the technology which promotes a Zero Waste approach.

An open dumpsite causes adverse impacts to the environment and to its nearby communities. One of its effect is water pollution, this is when the time that the leachate of the solid waste reach the ground water. This is where we extract our water use for domestic consumption such as drinking, bathing, cleaning, and washing. 

The dumpsite has been subject of numerous complaints mostly from the local residents of Suntrust Ecotown Subdivision and nearby areas. We hope that this operation may give serenity to the local residents who suffered from ill effects of illegal act of open dumping.