Davao city: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will investigate the dumping of garbage in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office in Davao City, Malaca±ang said Tuesday. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has assured the Palace of a thorough investigation into the incident.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro mentioned during a Palace briefing that the DILG would first determine whether there was negligence or violations of environmental laws. She noted that it would be premature to discuss specific penalties while the investigation has yet to be conducted. Penalties would depend on the gravity of any offense that may be established.

Castro emphasized the importance of public service over personal interests for local chief executives. She reminded them that they are there to serve the people and not themselves. Those who disregard their constituents or neglect their duties should be investigated.

Malaca±ang condemned the dumping of garbage outside the DENR regional office in Davao City, citing it as a violation of environmental laws and a distraction from efforts to address public safety concerns. This follows the fatal trash slide at the city's sanitary landfill last month. The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) criticized the dumping, as the area was designated by the city government as one of its temporary waste collection points after the landfill operations were suspended.

The DENR had ordered the temporary closure of the New Carmen Sanitary Landfill post the trash slide incident to allow for retrieval operations, geotechnical assessments, and corrective safety measures. The EMB pointed out that the waste-dumping violated the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, posing potential health and environmental risks.