LGU execs who failed to implement proper waste disposal to face raps over Manila Bay pollution — Cimatu, Año

Administrative and criminal charges will be filed against local government officials who have neglected their duty in ensuring proper waste disposal and waste management within their respective constituencies which resulted in a polluted Manila Bay, Cabinet members said Tuesday.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año issued the warning ahead of the P47-billion Manila Bay rehabilitation project which will start on January 27.

“What is the role of the LGU (local government unit) officials here? They are supposed to implement these environmental laws. That is their mandate, kaso lang 'di masyado natututukan itong estero program...'yung cleaning ng estero. 'Yung iba, may estero [cleaning] program every month, pero meron rin 'yung may program nga pero 'di naman ginagawa kaya nag-accumulate ang basura sa estero,” Cimatu said.

“It is very obvious. Di tayo darating rito [sa punto na kailangan i-rehab ang Manila Bay] kung ginagampanan ng local government ang kanilang mga trabaho, including barangay captains. You can just imagine, would they (informal settlers) build a house in an estero kung hindi sila makakakuha ng permit? Sino magbibigay ng permit? Eh di LGUs,” Cimatu added.

For his part, Año said there will be an Inspection and Investigation Committee which will probe the liability of LGUs in polluting Manila Bay.

“Liabilities would include criminal or administrative cases [against LGU officials]. Kung administrative, that would mean suspension,” Año said.

“This [probe] will start [dating back] in 2008, kung kelan lumabas 'yung mandamus. Mandato nila ito eh so they should have taken action,” Año added.

Mandamus is the petition granted by the Supreme Court in 2008 wherein the court mandated 13 government agencies to clear Manila Bay of trash and other pollutants, including LGUs. — RSJ, GMA News