Martires recalls suspension of officials over solid waste law violations

Ombudsman Samuel Martires has withdrawn the suspension orders against nine mayors who were earlier found liable for violating the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

In justifying his move to recall the sanction, Martires said “there is a need … for Congress to revisit the law on solid waste management.”

“I saw that the law is economically not feasible to be implemented, especially by fifth- and sixth-class municipalities. To close an open dumpsite, a five-hectare open dumpsite, you need at least P13 million,” Martires told reporters on Monday.

If he followed the law to the letter, he said, “there might no longer be any mayors or vice mayors left in the fifth- and sixth-class municipalities because of the lack of money.”

Gross neglect of duty

Two of the officials who were let off the hook for gross neglect of duty were Mayor Melandres de Sagun and his slain vice mayor, Alexander Lubigan, of Trece Martires City, Cavite.

Mayors to benefit

The other mayors who would benefit from Martires’ move are Flaviano Balgos Jr. of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya; Ma. Kristine dela Fuente of Abucay, Bataan; Emilia Lourdes Poblete of Silang, Cavite; Norman Ong of Rizal, Palawan; Cielo Krisel Lagman-Luistro of Tabaco City, Albay; Cherilie Sampal of Polangui, Albay, and Nathaniel Gertos of Bato, Leyte.

Mayor Gerry Jaucian of Daraga, Albay, died in May, months before his suspension was recalled.

Suspension orders were also withdrawn against the councilors and city/municipal environment officers of Paombong, Bulacan; Abucay, Bataan; Trece Martires City, Kawit and Silang in Cavite; Rizal, Palawan; Tabaco City, Polangui and Daraga in Albay and Bato, Leyte.