City Government Cracks Down on Illegal Garbage Disposal
BAGUIO CITY — The city government is taking a firm stand against illegal garbage disposal, warning that violators could face criminal charges and jail time under national environmental laws. This crackdown aims to protect waterways, especially during the rainy season when litter clogging drainage systems causes flooding.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he ordered the General Services Office (GSO) and the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) to collect evidence against individuals, households, and establishments that irresponsibly dump trash into rivers and canals. “The situation has become so frustrating. Undisciplined people have been ignoring the law and shamelessly showing their utter lack of concern for the environment, for our roads and parks, for our rivers. Maybe it’s time to teach them a lesson,” Magalong said.
Flooding Worsened by Trash-Blocked Waterways
Recent weather disturbances caused widespread flooding, largely due to clogged drainage systems filled with improperly discarded waste. City Camp Lagoon, a known flood-prone spot, was found blocked by large amounts of trash caught in steel outlet traps. In response, the city began installing steel garbage traps along waterways and canals, particularly at barangay boundaries, to identify the sources of waste.
Stricter Penalties to Enforce Environmental Laws
Mayor Magalong has pushed for harsher penalties to deter careless waste disposal. Despite past awareness campaigns, some residents continue to dump garbage and release septage into waterways, posing threats to public health and the environment. The GSO and CEPMO were instructed to gather enough evidence to file criminal charges under the city’s Anti-Littering Ordinance and several national laws, including the Clean Air Act (RA 8749), Clean Water Act (RA 9275), and Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003).
Violators could face jail sentences ranging from six months and one day to up to 20 years, depending on the offense’s severity and the law applied. The city’s decisive action underscores its commitment to preserving clean waterways and preventing future flooding caused by garbage.
For more news and updates on illegal garbage disposal, visit Filipinokami.com.
