BACOLOD City – Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez is seeking probe into the alleged illegal dumping of garbage at the city’s Reclamation Area in Barangay 10.
Lopez, who heads the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s Committee on Environment, passed a resolution enjoining the Philippine National Police (PNP), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO), and other line agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and manhunt operation for the perpetrators who dumped garbage in the Reclamation Area.
“It is highly requested that the PNP, LTO, BTAO and other line agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and pursue charges against perpetrators to give our laws some teeth to it and would instill a sense of discipline to be observed by the residents of the City to promote ecological justice and sustainable development,” Lopez said.
According to Lopez, a white pickup truck was seen unloading wastes matters in bulk at reclamation area recently. This was caught in a photograph that went viral on social media.
He wants to create a lookout bulletin for the dissemination of information relative to pursuit of the perpetrators.
Lopez cited that Section 48 of Republic Act 9003 or known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000” provides that the littering, throwing, dumping of waste matters in public places, such as roads, sidewalks, canals, parks, and establishment, or causing or permitting the same is prohibited.
He further said the transport and dumplog in bulk of collected domestic, industrial, commercial, and institutional wastes in areas other than centers or facilities prescribe by law shall upon conviction, be punished with a fine not less than P10,000 but not more than P200,000 or imprisonment of not less than thirty (30) days but not more than three years, or both.
City Ordinance No. 531, provides that the littering of plastics, papers, or any other refuse in open or public places, water ways and recreational areas shall be prohibited, Lopez added./PN
