Marcos: No fine for wrong trash disposal; dumping sites must be there

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday shut down calls for harsher penalties for littering and improper garbage disposal, saying a proper waste management system must come first.

He made the remark during an inspection of clearing and waste collection operations at the Baclaran River in Parañaque City, where a “sea of garbage” was being collected after days of heavy rain brought by the southwest monsoon.

READ: Palace backs harsher penalties for improper garbage disposal

Citing Japan as an example, Marcos said that country has a “very good system” for collecting and disposing of garbage—something the Philippines must also have.

“It’s not useful to fine people for not throwing their garbage if there is no place to put their garbage. Of course, people are aware that there are fines. No one wants to be fined,” he told reporters in a brief media interview.

“But we also need to provide facilities where people can properly dispose of their garbage. Sometimes, it’s really that simple. Sometimes, the problem is just that simple,” he noted.

When asked whether the situation in the water channel can be considered a “crisis,” Marcos answered, “Yeah, it certainly is. Just look at it. Does that look critical to you? It does to me.” 

“So yes. I wouldn’t call it a garbage crisis. But that is the problem that we are facing,” he said.

In September 2025, the Metro Manila Council passed a resolution imposing a unified P5,000 fine for littering across Metro Manila’s 16 cities.

Pateros, the lone municipality in Metro Manila, will implement a P2,500 fine, the maximum allowed for municipalities under the Local Government Code. /apl