DILG to probe trash dumping at DENR Davao office - Palace

Malacañang said Tuesday the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to launch an investigation into the dumping of garbage in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office in Davao City, which was reportedly ordered by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla informed her the DILG will look into the possibility of negligence and violation of environmental laws for the part of local government officials.

“Nakausap po mismo natin si Secretary Jonvic Remulla ngayong araw dahil kasama po siya sa meeting kanina. Magkakaroon po ng malalimang pag-iimbestiga rito,” she said.

(We talked to Secretary Jonvic Remulla today because he was at the meeting earlier. There will be a deep investigation into this matter.)

Castro said the possible penalties will depend on the gravity of the offense committed.

She also called on all local government officials to always consider the welfare of their constituents in all their actions.

“Sa lahat na po ng mga lider sa LGUs, tandaan po natin, kayo po ay para sa taumbayan, hindi pansarili. Hindi po dapat katamaran o pang-sarili ang iniisip. Isipin niyo po ang inyong constituents,” she said.

(To all the leaders in the LGUs, remember, you are for the people, not for yourself. You should not be lazy or selfish. Think about your constituents.)

“Sa lahat po ng mag-aakto ng binabalewala ang kanilang constituents o ang kanilang trabaho, dapat po sila maimbestigahan,” she added.

(Those who ignore their constituents or their work should be investigated.)

Duterte ordered on June 4 to add the DENR Region XI (Davao Region) office as a garbage collection point amid the temporary closure of the New Carmen Sanitary Landfill.

“To manage waste collection moving forward, we have identified additional collection points, including one in front of DENR XI office, so they can personally appreciate the volume of garbage that accumulates when an essentially public service is halted indefinitely,” the mayor said in a statement.

Residents near the DENR XI office later complained about garbage buildup.

The DENR office reminded that indiscriminate dumping of waste violates the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003). —RF, GMA News