WHEREAS , it is the policy of the State to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology;

WHEREAS , a balanced and healthful ecology requires, among others, the proper and efficient disposal of solid waste;

WHEREAS , one of the basic services that need to be properly managed in Metro Manila and its environs is the collection, treatment and disposal of solid waste;

WHEREAS , in view of the highly-urbanized nature of Metro Manila, and the movement of population between and among the metropolis and its surrounding provinces, the management of solid waste must be extended to the adjoining provinces of Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga, Laguna, Rizal and Zambales;

WHEREAS , to enable the government to undertake measures to prevent a garbage crisis in Metro Manila and its adjoining provinces, there is need to constitute a body that shall formulate and implement a comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan for said areas.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA , President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Constitution of the GMMSWMC . There is hereby constituted a Greater Metropolitan Manila Solid Waste Management Committee, hereinafter referred to as GMMSWMC or as the Committee.

Section 2. Composition . The GMMSWMC shall have the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects (Flagship Committee) as its Chairman, and the following as members:

Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Secretary, Department of Science and Technology
Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways
Secretary, Department of Health
Secretary, Department of Justice
Director-General, National Economic and Development Authority
Head, Presidential Management Staff
Chairman, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
Governor, Bataan
Governor, Batangas
Governor, Bulacan
Governor, Cavite
Governor, Laguna
Governor, Pampanga
Governor, Rizal
Governor, Zambales

The GMMSWMC may expand its membership to include officials of concerned agencies and of neighboring LGUs, should their participation be necessary.

SEC. 3. Functions. The GMMSWMC shall serve as the over-all coordinating body for the formulation and implementation of a Solid Waste Management Plan for Metro Manila and the adjoining provinces of Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga, Laguna, Rizal and Zambales. In the preparation of the Plan, the Committee shall utilize all the previous studies conducted by MMDA, the Presidential Task Force on Waste Management, local government units constituting the GMMSWMC, and other agencies.

SEC. 4. Technical Working Groups . The GMMSWMC may create Technical Working Groups (TWGs) consisting of the members of the Committee to assist in the performance of its tasks.

SEC. 5. Technical and Secretariat Support . The Flagship Committee, with the assistance of the MMDA, shall provide secretariat and technical support to the GMMSWMC and its TWGs.

SEC. 6. Funding . During the first year of operation, the GMMSWMC shall have an operating budget of Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00) which shall be chargeable against the funds of the Office of the President. Thereafter, GMMSWMC funding shall be included in the annual appropriations of the Office of the President. The Committee shall submit a work and financial plan to the Department of Budget and Management.

SEC. 7. Reporting Clause . The GMMSWMC shall submit semi-annual reports to the President on its activities and accomplishments.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause . This Executive Order repeals Memorandum Order No. 19, s. 1998, and amends all other issuances inconsistent with this Executive Order.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause . If any of the provisions of this Order shall be declared unconstitutional, the other provisions of this Order shall remain valid.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, Philippines, this 26th day of August, in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-nine.

(SGD.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary