CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (September 4, 2025, 7:15 pm) – The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 10 (Northern Mindanao) recognized Bukidnon province as the most compliant with Republic Act (RA) 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, in the region

In an interview on Thursday, September 4, 2025, EMB-10 Director Reynaldo Digamo Jr. said that, compared to other provinces, Bukidnon only has one local government unit (LGU) that does not have a sanitary landfill of its own.

“Out of the 93 municipalities in Northern Mindanao, only 40 have sanitary landfills either operational or under construction,” he said.

Digamo said many barangays still lack even the most basic infrastructure, such as Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs).

Under RA 9003, all LGUs are mandated to create a Solid Waste Management Board.

Meanwhile, Digamo said that the LGU here, through the City Council, could serve as a model for other LGUs once the proposed Solid Waste Management Department is established through an ordinance.

Second District City Councilor Eric Salcedo, who proposed the measure, recognized the major challenges barangays encounter in meeting their RA 9003 obligations, especially in allocating land for MRFs and obtaining appropriate waste management equipment.

“The city government must take the lead. If barangays cannot identify sites for MRFs or lack the funds for garbage trucks, then the city must step in through a dedicated department,” Salcedo said. (Ercel Maandig/PNA)