THE Metro Manila Council has approved a resolution directing local government units in the metropolis to impose a maximum fine of P5,000 for those caught illegally dumping garbage in public places.
The MMC, whose members are the 17 Metro mayors, is the policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
The move imposing a hefty fine was announced by MMC President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora in a press briefing at the MMDA main office in Pasig City.
Zamora said it would deter anyone who has a habit of improper waste disposal.
“Let us not throw or dispose of our garbage in our waterways, in wrong places,” Zamora said, adding that the 17 Metro LGUs would need to pass their respective ordinances to enforce the MMC resolution in their jurisdiction.
He said that Pateros would be exempted from the coverage of the resolution, with violators in the metropolis’ lone municipality having to pay only half of the fine, or P2,500.
Last month, MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes and Zamora said the MMC is mulling hiking the penalty for haphazard dumping of garbage to deter violators.
“Kung hindi natin didisiplinahin ang ating mga mamamayan, paulit ulit na lang po ang problemang ito so dapat talaga nilang maintindihan na kung gusto nating tuluyang maibsan ang problema sa pagbabaha, malaki ang bahagi nito ay ang disiplina natin (If we will not discipline our citizenry, flooding will be a recurring problem, so everyone should understand that if we want to address flooding, discipline will play a big part in it),” Zamora said.
Artes had blamed the haphazard dumping of garbage as the main cause of flooding in the metropolis.
Artes said garbage and debris flooding its pumping stations could affect the latter’s operation, especially during heavy downpour when they have to operate for a longer period of time.
He said the public should practice responsible garbage disposal and not use canals, creeks and other waterways as their garbage bin.
The MMDA chief said keeping the metropolis garbage-free is not only the work of the MMDA and local government units but also the public. – With Christian Oineza
