Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units (LGUs) Concerns and National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) Alternate Chair Benny D. Antiporda (right) presides over the virtual 5th NSWMC en banc meeting for the approval of the 10-year solid waste management (SWM) plans of LGUs in the country. The commission approved 21 SWM plans from the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Misamis Occidental, Zambales, Bohol, Lanao del Norte, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Negros Oriental, Misamis Oriental, Surigao del Sur, Benguet, and Mountain Province. Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 mandates that all LGUs prepare and submit their 10-year SWM plans anchored on the national SWM framework. The meeting, held on July 8, was attended by representatives from the members of the Commission. ###