Davao city: Malaca±ang on Monday condemned the dumping of garbage in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office in Davao City, calling it a violation of environmental laws and a distraction from efforts to address public safety concerns arising from a recent landfill tragedy.
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized the importance of respecting the law and due process amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the temporary closure of the Davao City Sanitary Landfill. Castro highlighted that such actions demonstrate a blatant disrespect for the rule of law and should be considered unacceptable behavior.
Castro further criticized leaders who fail to follow due process, suggesting that instead of blaming others, they should focus on the strict implementation of established regulations for the community's benefit. She underscored that government regulations are in place to safeguard public welfare, especially in light of the May 20 landfill incident that resulted in fatalities and property damage.
The Palace's remarks followed criticism from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) regarding the unauthorized garbage dumping outside the DENR office. This area was designated by the city government as a temporary waste collection site after landfill operations were halted.
The DENR had previously ordered the temporary closure of the New Carmen Sanitary Landfill to facilitate retrieval operations, conduct geotechnical assessments, and implement safety measures following the trash slide incident. The EMB noted that the illegal dumping violated the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, posing potential health and environmental risks.
Castro urged local government officials to prioritize resolving waste management issues rather than attributing blame to agencies enforcing environmental regulations. She described the act of dumping garbage outside a government office as irresponsible and cautioned other local government units against emulating such behavior.
The Palace reiterated that the DENR's decision to suspend landfill operations was grounded in technical and safety considerations, urging local government units to focus on their responsibilities and avoid actions that could endanger the public.
