Malabon declares war vs litterbugs

MANILA, Philippines—Members of a newly created task force will start going after litterbugs in the flood-prone City of Malabon starting Monday.

The local government will deploy around 100 government employees and civilian volunteers to enforce Ordinance No. 14-2011, which was approved in February.

It specifies penalties for litterbugs who are largely to blame for the city’s clogged waterways and drainage systems.

Under the ordinance’s provisions, offenders will be meted out fines ranging from P500 to P1,500, a prison sentence of up 30 days or both, depending on the gravity of their offense.

Bong Padua, Malabon’s chief public information officer, told the Inquirer that members of the Anti-littering Task Force would be responsible for issuing tickets to violators.

At least three deputized enforcers will be deployed to each of the city’s barangays while the rest will be stationed at city hall.

“The members of the (Task Force) had to undergo a seminar (prior to their deployment),” Padua said.

Civilian volunteers, on the other hand, were recommended by barangay (village) officials.

They were also screened by officials of the City Sanitary Office, the agency which conducted the orientation seminars for members of the task force.

More task force members

Padua said they expected the number of task force members to double in the succeeding months once other batches of civilian volunteers and government employees complete the orientation seminars.

Last Saturday, local officials completed a month-long information drive for residents about the antilittering ordinance.

The implementation of the ordinance—perceived by some officials to be long overdue—takes place a day after the commemoration of Earth Day during which the city government conducted a Malabon-wide cleanup.