MANILA, Philippines — The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has strongly condemned the dumping of garbage outside the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XI office in Davao City, describing the act as illegal and counterproductive amid ongoing efforts to address the city's waste management crisis.
EMB Director Michael Drake Matias stated that the incident violates Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which prohibits littering and illegal waste disposal.
“Dumping trash in front of government offices is not only unlawful, it undermines the very principles of ecological solid waste management,” Matias said. He emphasized that authorities should focus on ensuring public safety, rehabilitating the landfill, and complying with environmental regulations.
The controversy arose after Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte ordered garbage to be placed in front of the DENR Region XI office. According to Duterte, the move was intended to highlight the severity of the city's waste problem following the temporary closure of the Davao City Sanitary Landfill.
The landfill's operations were suspended on May 21 after a trash slide occurred a day earlier, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, injuries to two others, and ongoing retrieval operations for another victim.
In response, the EMB clarified that the suspension was based solely on technical and safety concerns. The agency said the closure was necessary to facilitate retrieval operations, conduct geotechnical assessments, and protect workers and nearby communities from further risks.
The DENR-Davao Region also noted that it has been coordinating closely with the city government to address concerns regarding the safety and stability of the landfill facility.
Meanwhile, the EMB rejected allegations linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the suspension order, calling such claims false and misleading. The bureau stressed that its decision was made independently and was guided by environmental and safety standards.
To address the waste management challenge, the EMB proposed several alternatives to the local government, including coordination with neighboring local government units, co-processing arrangements with private facilities, accelerated development of a new sanitary landfill, and the establishment of a temporary disposal area within the existing site subject to engineering interventions.
Corrective measures such as slope stabilization, improved drainage systems, and stricter safety protocols are currently being implemented. According to Matias, the landfill may resume operations as early as next week once all safety requirements have been met and verified.
Authorities continue to urge cooperation among stakeholders as efforts to restore safe waste disposal operations in Davao City move forward.
Written by Melrose Kyrene Aquino
Melrose Kyrene Aquino is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
