WHEREAS, under Republic Act (RA) No. 9003, the "Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000", it is the policy of the State to adopt a systematic, comprehensive, and sound ecological solid waste management program in the country;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Sec. 44 of RA 9003 and Sec. 33 of RA 7160 (Local Government Code), all Local Government Units (LGUs) are mandated to coordinate their efforts, services, and resources for purposes of jointly addressing common solid waste disposal facilities;

WHEREAS, the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) with a Category 4 to Waste Custodian Management (WACUMAN) Sanitary Landfill located in Sitio Tiyakad, Barangay San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan;

WHEREAS, the said facility has been favorably endorsed as an alternative disposal facility site for the Province of Bulacan and nearby areas, by the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Bulacan Chapter; the Office of the Mayor of Norzagaray, Bulacan; the Sangguniang Bayan of Norzagaray, Bulacan, and the Office of Barangay Captain of San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan;

WHEREAS, the said sanitary landfill disposal facility can augment the lack of suitable sanitary landfills in Bulacan, Metro Manila, and nearby areas;

WHEREAS, the declaration of said sanitary landfill will address the growing waste disposal problem, augment the lack of sanitary landfills in the country, attract both local and foreign investors engaged in waste conversion technologies.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare:

SECTION 1. The Sanitary Landfill Disposal Facility of WACUMAN in Sitio Tiyakad, Brgy. San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan, is hereby declared as an alternate disposal site for the proper disposal of waste from the Local Government Units and private sector of the cities and towns in the Province of Bulacan, Metro Manila and nearby areas, subject to the provisions, when applicable, of RA 9003, such as Sec. 2 (Declaration of Policies); Sec. 5 (Powers and Functions of the Commission); Sec. 9 (Visitorial Powers of the Department); Sec. 11 (Provincial Solid Waste Management Board); Sec. 16 (Local Government Solid Waste Management Plans); Sec. 17 (The Components of the Local Government Solid Waste Management Plan); Sec. 40 (Criteria for Siting a Sanitary Landfill); Sec. 42 (Operating Criteria for Sanitary Landfills); and Sec. 44 (Establishment of Common Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities).

SEC. 2. The DENR and the National Solid Waste Management Commission are hereby tasked to regularly monitor the said Sanitary Landfill to ensure safe and proper waste handling and management pursuant to their established guidelines and policies.

SEC. 3. The Department of Public Works and Highways shall supervise the maintenance of public roads in the vicinity of the sanitary landfill to facilitate smooth operation and delivery of waste disposal services.

SEC. 4. The Provincial Government of Bulacan, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Local Government of Norzagaray, Bulacan are hereby enjoined to encourage local and foreign investors to put up businesses and technology relative to recycling and waste-to-energy processes in their areas of jurisdiction, pursuant to Sec. 2 (f), Article 1, Chapter I and Sec. 17 (I), Article 1, Chapter III of RA 9003.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 28th day of October, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.


By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary