San Juan Mayor Proposes Higher Fines Against Illegal Dumping Metro Manila
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora announced on Wednesday his plan to propose stricter penalties to the Metro Manila Council (MMC) for individuals caught illegally dumping garbage in public spaces across the capital region. The move aims to address the persistent waste problem plaguing Metro Manila.
Following an inspection of the ongoing Bayanihan sa Estero program at Lambingan Bridge along the San Juan River, Zamora and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Don Artes observed the impact of illegal dumping firsthand. They noted that the section of the San Juan River near Lambingan Bridge has become heavily polluted, with trash from multiple areas accumulating and worsening flooding conditions.
Garbage Accumulation Fuels Flooding Woes
During the inspection, MMDA reported that two full truckloads of garbage had already been collected from the site by midday, with cleanup efforts ongoing. Officials highlighted the urgency of addressing illegal dumping to prevent further environmental damage and flooding risks.
Zamora, who was recently reelected as MMC president, stressed that the current Local Government Code permits a maximum fine of P5,000 for violators. He intends to push for imposing the full amount even on first-time offenders to send a strong message.
Uniform Penalties to Curb Illegal Dumping
“It is possible that even a first offense could carry the maximum penalty. That’s one possibility,” Zamora said in Filipino, explaining that fines vary by local government units but advocating for a standardized approach. “The first offense could be P5,000, and all succeeding offenses could also be P5,000 each,” he added.
When asked about the possibility of harmonizing fines throughout Metro Manila, Zamora confirmed he would raise the topic at the next MMC meeting. “We will discuss this in our next meeting to establish a uniform policy for penalizing violators who dump garbage,” he said in Filipino.
He emphasized the importance of public discipline, stating, “Our citizens really need to practice discipline, and one way to do this is by imposing fines that people will truly feel: ‘I made a mistake, I dumped garbage, I was fined, and I won’t do it again.’”
Successful Example from Local Festival Fines
To illustrate the effectiveness of strict penalties, Zamora cited the recent Wattah Wattah Festival, where local authorities amended the ordinance to impose a P5,000 fine plus possible imprisonment for violators. This measure successfully deterred illegal dumping during the event.
“I’m using our Wattah Wattah experience as an example. In 2025, during our recent fiesta, we amended the original Wattah Wattah ordinance and set a P5,000 fine plus the possibility of imprisonment, and as a result, no one dumped trash outside the designated area,” Zamora shared in Filipino.
MMDA Chair Calls for Public Discipline
Meanwhile, MMDA chair Don Artes urged residents to “exercise discipline” in disposing of waste properly. He pointed out that the garbage collected at Lambingan Bridge was only from the current week, despite recent cleanups.
“If you continue doing that, it becomes a cycle… The government cannot solve the garbage problem alone because we will keep spending on hauling and cleaning, and if you keep dumping, it will never end,” Artes explained.
He underscored that the solution lies with the public: “The solution is in our hands. It starts with disciplining ourselves and disposing of all our garbage in the proper places.”
For more news and updates on illegal dumping Metro Manila, visit Filipinokami.com.
