DENR to LGUs: Segregate waste, punish litterers

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday called on local government units (LGUs) to strengthen the implementation of their local ordinances on solid waste management, particularly in penalizing those who litter and do not segregate their trash.

Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, who oversees local government units and solid waste management, said they plan to coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government to help LGUs with their garbage concerns.

“Majority of cities and municipalities have local ordinances that are counterparts of the national law, but these have no teeth,” he told a press briefing.

He added that the penalties prescribed in the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, or Republic Act No. 9003, are very low. —JHESSET O. ENANO