BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) is urging local government units (LGUs) in the Cordillera to strengthen alternative waste management strategies amid challenges in establishing engineered sanitary landfills (ESL) in the region.
EMB-CAR Regional Director Jean Borromeo said that while the law requires every LGU to have access to ESLs, only a few proposed sites passed the criteria.
“Kaunti lang ang pumasa sa ating criteria. Iba ‘yung slope at tsaka ‘yung type of soil,” Borromeo shared during the Usapang PIA on Jan. 29, 2026.
She also emphasized that constructing a sanitary landfill is expensive, which is why they are pushing for alternative waste management approaches.
“It’s also very expensive to establish a sanitary landfill. Ang pinu-push ko talaga is ‘yung alternative waste management, na meron namang ibang paraan other than bringing our waste sa landfill,” the official said.
She said that recyclable plastics can be used as alternative fuel in cement kilns noting that these do not charge a tipping fee, an option that is cheaper compared to hauling waste to private landfills.
Borromeo added that they are also exploring arrangements with cement companies including the possibility of backloading plastic waste when they deliver cement to the provinces.
“Kung talagang tatrabahuin ng mga LGUs, hindi nila sasabihin na wala kaming budget. Di mo nga kailangan ng budget, seryosohin mo lang ito. Then we can help you patching up with cement kiln and other na nagpro-process ng mga recyclables,” she said.
The director also noted the importance of the implementation of the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Act obliging large manufacturers and enterprises to recover their plastic footprints.
She said that the EPR provides an opportunity for LGUs to generate funds from waste management as companies rely on other people to recover their plastic footprints on their behalf.
“Hindi rin nila kaya na sila ang magre-recover ng kanilang plastic footprint so they would rely on other people to do it for them like the LGUs. ‘Yun ‘yung importante, ‘yung traceability ng plastic waste. Maproseso pero kung nandiyan na ‘yung system, mabilis na lang ‘yan,” she said.
Currently, there are 11 ESL in the Cordillera, three in Apayao, three in Ifugao, two in Kalinga, and one each in Abra, Benguet, and Mountain Province.
Borromeo said that the EMB-CAR continues to support LGUs through information education campaigns, technical assistance, and provision of solid waste management equipment. **DEG-PIA CAR
