Officials of Barangay Salisay in Dagupan City have intensified monitoring and enforcement efforts after repeated incidents of garbage getting dumped illegally along the roads in the barangay.

Officials said piles of trash have been left along road by passersby. Motorists would reportedly stop to dispose of their waste.

Councilman Jomar Landingin said several violators have already been identified and recorded.

“Nakahuli po kami ng nagtatapon ng basura dito sa aming MRF at naitala sa blotter namin at nagkaroon sila ng penalty pero yung penalty nila is sa bayan po kasi wala pang ordinansa ang aming barangay,” Landingin said.

Five individuals caught dumping garbage were referred to the local government and fined P20,000, officials said.

To prevent other people from dumping there, watch personnel were deployed at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and in areas nearby.

“Every day po may napupuntang tanod doon at may naa-assign na segregator upang mabantayan ang amin MRF,” Landingin said.

The Dagupan City Waste Management Division said the problem is not limited to local residents, noting that some of those who dumped trash come from neighboring areas.

“Ang problema ma’am, hindi lang Dagupeno ang nagtatapon doon kasi may mga nahuli tayo lalo na jan sa part ng De Venecia,” WMD chief Bernard Cabison said.

City waste officials said they plan to recommend stiffer penalties for violators of sanitation ordinances to strengthen enforcement.

Cabison urged visitors and residents alike to manage their waste properly.

“Ang mga bisita po natin dito sa Dagupan, i-manage po natin yung ating basura dahil dito sa Dagupan, may Task Force Disiplina tayo na kung saan may nagmo-monitor,” he said.

Authorities said monitoring will continue as part of broader efforts to improve sanitation and maintain order in the city’s barangays.