Fine or community work? NCR mayors reviewing sanctions for littering esteros —Abalos

Mayors in the National Capital Region are eyeing to review and harmonize the sanctions for littering canals, waterways, and esteros, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Benhur Abalos said on Thursday.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, Abalos said the mayors have already harmonized their different ordinances regarding the proper disposal of garbage in the region, but not yet the punishments for it.

“Ngayon po ay na-harmonize namin ang kanya-kanyang ordinansa… Dapat ma-review ang parusa dito sa pagtatapon. Likewise, i-harmonize,” he said.

(Their respective ordinances have already been harmonized. The sanctions should be reviewed and harmonized too.)

Abalos said requiring violators to undergo community service instead of paying fines is being considered as sanction since the pandemic has affected many Filipinos financially.

On Monday, MMDA installed a trash trap at one of the tributaries of the Estero de Tripa de Gallina near Tramo Bridge in Pasay City.

The trash trap would help mitigate damage to the pumping stations caused by the garbage, according to the MMDA.

Abalos said two truckloads of trash were collected in the area in a day. -MDM, GMA News