DENR seeks Baste Duterte explanation over garbage dumping in Davao City

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has sought an explanation from Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte over alleged illegal waste dumping outside its Davao Region office.

In a letter on Monday, DENR Davao Regional Executive Director Mercedes Dumagan asked the mayor to explain after personnel caught individuals dumping mixed waste in front of the agency’s Lanang office.

Some of those apprehended reportedly cited the mayor’s June 4 Facebook post, which described the area as a temporary waste collection point.

Article continues after this advertisement

The waste, which is believed to include commercial refuse, was found unsegregated, in violation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

READ: Baste Duterte orders Davao City trash dumped outside DENR office

“Our goal is to ensure that waste collection areas are properly designated and consistent with the city’s plan,” Dumagan said.

Complaint vs vehicle

The DENR is likewise coordinating with the Philippine National Police to identify other trucks and vehicles seen in the area during the dumping incidents as part of its ongoing verification efforts.

In a separate action, Dumagan also filed a complaint involving a Mitsubishi Xpander captured on CCTV unloading sacks of mixed waste at the DENR office.

Article continues after this advertisement

“We are addressing individual incidents as well, including the vehicle seen on video. These steps help ensure accountability while the city continues to manage the impacts of the landfill suspension,” Dumagan added.

READ: DENR slams Baste Duterte order to dump trash

Article continues after this advertisement

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) ordered the suspension of the Davao City sanitary landfill operations on May 21, a day after a trash slide killed two people.

The bureau said the suspension was a technical measure to facilitate retrieval operations, conduct geotechnical assessments and ensure the safety of workers and nearby communities.

According to the DENR, the complaint and request for clarification are part of continuing efforts to maintain order in waste management.

Mayor Duterte has been given five days to respond to the agency’s letter, with copies of the communication furnished to senior DENR officials and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Earlier, Palace press officer Claire Castro said the DILG would conduct a “thorough investigation” into Duterte’s earlier remark directing that uncollected garbage be dumped in front of the DENR office, effectively designating the area as a garbage collection site.

Castro said Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that the investigation would determine whether Duterte or Davao City officials committed negligence or breached environmental laws.

The EMB denounced the dumping of garbage outside the DENR office in Davao.

Duterte earlier attributed the city’s worsening garbage problem to the DENR, citing the closure of the sanitary landfill in Barangay New Carmen.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

As of Monday afternoon, the city government had yet to issue a statement on the DENR’s request for an explanation regarding the dumping of garbage in front of the agency’s office. ­—WITH A REPORT FROM JOSELLE R. BADILLA