Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel “Mitch” T. Cuna called on all local government units to follow Bayawan City’s example, proving proper landfill design and solid waste management are fully achievable under Republic Act 9003. During a visit to the 27.4-hectare Bayawan City Waste Management and Ecology Center, Cuna cited the city as a working model of President Marcos’s vision for local-level solutions, built on strong leadership, community participation, and DENR partnership.
Launched in 2010, the facility serves 28 barangays and nearly 118,000 residents, plus five neighboring LGUs and three private firms, featuring a sanitary landfill, materials recovery facility, composting unit, and septage system. This marks a major improvement from the late 1990s, when open dumping created serious health and environmental risks. Since its 2002 Solid Waste Management Plan, the city enforces mandatory segregation, a Pay-As-You-Throw scheme, and public education, achieving 80 percent waste diversion before disposal while curbing illegal dumping through active monitoring.
Bayawan also addressed challenges openly: after receiving a 2023 DENR violation for effluent standards, the city used the department’s technical assistance to resolve the issue and restore full compliance. Recognized with national awards including the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, the city demonstrates that consistent implementation and community involvement make environmental laws effective. DENR continues to urge all LGUs nationwide to enforce source segregation, reduce waste, and adhere to RA 9003 to protect public health and the environment.
