(GMA News) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recently closed down 355 illegal dumpsites in the country, its spokesperson Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said on Wednesday.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, Antiporda said these were open dumpsites, which the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 had ordered to be closed.

“Three hundred thirty-five po ang huling napasara. Twenty years na po ang batas na [Republic Act] 9003, pero ngayon lang po natupad ang ipinag-uutos ng batas na ipasara ang open dumpsites,” he said.

(Three hundred thirty-five were recently closed. It’s been 20 years since RA 9003 was enacted, but its order to close open dumpsites is just being enforced now)

Antiporda said that the DENR is now focusing on the safe closure and rehabilitation of the dumpsites.

He also advised local governments units (LGUs) affected by the closure of the dumpsites to establish a residual containment area for their garbage while they develop a sanitary landfill.

Antiporda also warned LGU against burying their garbage in these areas as this is still considered as an open dumpsite and dangerous.