BACOLOD City — The city government here will strictly penalize individuals caught improperly disposing of garbage in any part of the city, as authorities move to strengthen enforcement of waste management laws.
Councilor Homer Bais, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Committee on Environment and Ecology, said the measure was discussed during a recent meeting spearheaded by the city government in coordination with its garbage contractor, International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialists, Inc. (I-SWIMS), held at a local hotel.
Bais said the City Legal Office (CLO) stressed the need for stricter enforcement and apprehension of violators following reports of widespread improper dumping in several barangays.
The issue gained public attention after netizens posted photos and videos on social media showing garbage being dumped by unidentified individuals. Some roads were seen littered with trash even shortly after garbage collection had been conducted.
Bais said the CLO will work with barangays in deputizing enforcement teams tasked with apprehending violators.
City Legal Officer Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu confirmed that barangay personnel will first undergo training before they are formally deputized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Solid Waste Management (SWM) Commission.
Chiu said violators will be penalized under Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, as well as existing city ordinances related to waste management, to help protect public health and the environment.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said that on January 8, the city government convened the city’s punong barangays, together with the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), I-SWIMS, and members of the City Council.
The meeting aimed to allow I-SWIMS to present its proposed garbage collection schedule, giving barangays the opportunity to raise concerns and offer suggestions before the schedule is finalized.
“This is in preparation for the start of regular garbage collection in inner roads and subdivisions,” Gasataya said.
The mayor added that within seven days from the effectivity of I-SWIMS’ contract on January 1, 2026, the contractor was able to collect 10,512 cubic meters of garbage, including backlogged waste prior to the start of its operations.
Gasataya also said engineering improvements were immediately implemented at the sanitary landfill to speed up waste processing.
“Sixty brand-new trucks will be deployed for Bacolod, and the Solid Waste Management Board has increased penalties for non-compliance to ensure that waste collectors meet their obligations,” the mayor said./PN
