MANILA, Philippines – More than 1,000 people have been apprehended in Navotas City for littering and smoking in prohibited areas.

Based on a report submitted by City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) chief Joselito Osete to Mayor Toby Tiangco, they apprehended 1,443 persons in the first three months of the year.

Of the total, 700 were accosted for violating city ordinances on anti-littering and door-to-door waste collection while 638 were apprehended for violating local sanitation laws prohibiting smoking in public places.

On the other hand, the remaining 105 were accosted for violating Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

As punishment, 450 persons were asked to render community service instead of being made to pay a fine.

Forty-two others, however, were not as fortunate and were charged at the city prosecutor’s office.

The rest of those apprehended were fined from P200 to P1,000 depending on the gravity of their offense, in addition to being required to attend a seminar or a lecture on city ordinances regarding the environment.

The city government, through its Cenro chief, has been rigorously implementing local anti-littering ordinances as part of the measures to prevent flooding in the low-lying city.

In a statement, Tiangco said that their flood control measures – ranging from the construction of pumping stations and river walls – would not work if residents would allow garbage to pile up and eventually clog their drainage system.

“We have to maintain cleanliness and discipline ourselves to ensure that our flood control programs, such as the operation of the Bombastik Pumping Stations, will not be hampered and [will remain] constantly functional,” Tiangco said.

Last year, the city government punished 5,200 individuals for littering and smoking in designated no-smoking areas.