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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Baguio steps up crackdown on illegal garbage disposal

Baguio steps up crackdown on illegal garbage disposal

Published Jul 23, 2025 11:28 pm
RAINY Wednesday night, July 23, in Baguio City. (Neil Clark Ongchangco/Baguio City PIO FB)
RAINY Wednesday night, July 23, in Baguio City. (Neil Clark Ongchangco/Baguio City PIO FB)
BAGUIO CITY – The city government is taking a hardline stance against littering and illegal garbage disposal, warning that violators could face criminal charges and jail time under several national environmental laws.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said Wednesday he has ordered the General Services Office (GSO) and the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) to gather evidence against those throwing garbage indiscriminately, especially in waterways, during the rainy season.
“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 in a media interview.
Widespread flooding during recent weather disturbances was caused by clogged drainage systems due to improperly discarded waste, he said.
City Camp Lagoon, a flood-prone area, was found to have collected large volumes of trash that blocked steel outlet traps.
In response, the city began installing garbage steel traps in waterways and canals in barangay boundaries to help trace the source of waste.
Magalong earlier pushed for harsher penalties against careless waste disposal to compel compliance, noting that despite awareness efforts, some residents still dump garbage and discharge septage into waterways, endangering both the environment and public health.
The mayor said the GSO and CEPMO have been instructed to collect sufficient evidence for filing criminal charges under the city’s Anti-Littering Ordinance, Republic Act (RA) 8749 (Clean Air Act), RA 9275 (Clean Water Act), and RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act).
Penalties could include jail time ranging from six months and one day up to 20 years, depending on the severity of the offense and the applicable law. (PNA)

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Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong Garbage Waste management
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