Mindanao execs ordered to explain illegal dumpsites
Several local government officials in Mindanao were ordered by the Environmental Ombudsman to explain their failure to close down open dumpsites in the island region.
In a statement on Friday, the Environmental Ombudsman said its investigators were conducting an in-depth fact-finding investigation into the illegal dumpsites in the cities of Kidapawan, Koronadal, Valencia, Cagayan De Oro, as well as the towns of General Luna (in Surigao Del Norte), Marihatag (in Surigao Del Sur) and Loreto (in Agusan Del Sur).
READ: Ombudsman probes open dumpsites in Albay
The officials were ordered to attend a series of clarificatory hearings that started Oct. 25 and that would end on Oct. 28 in Davao City.
The Environmental Ombudsman received the complaint against the local officials from the National Solid Waste Management Commission on Feb. 10, 2016.
The Environmental Ombudsman gave the officials a non-extendible period of 30 days to submit their explanation, as well as a safe closure and rehabilitation plan that should include a proposal to immediately close down the open dumpsite.
The Environmental Ombudsman also ordered the local officials to give details on specific tasks, activities and legislative action about the illegal dumpsites, which should be implemented within six months.
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The Environmental Ombudsman team would monitor post-closure activities of the local government units, and ensure that the provisions of Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, and other environmental laws are fully implemented.
The Environmental Ombudsman team headed by Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera is mandated to investigate complaints filed against any local officials about environmental protection, and recommend penalties and filing of criminal charges against them.
Since February, the Ombudsman has started its probe of around 600 local government officials throughout the country over illegal dump sites and other violations of the solid waste management act.
READ: Ombudsman probes local gov’t execs over illegal dump sites
Mosquera earlier said the officials may also be held liable for criminal charges of graft, violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the Local Government Code, among others.
They also face administrative charges before the Ombudsman for gross neglect of duty that may result in their dismissal from service, forfeiture of benefits and perpetual disqualification from public office, Mosquera added.
According to R.A. 9003, “no dump sites shall be established and operated, nor any practice or disposal of solid waste by any person, including LGUs (local government units), which constitutes the use of open dumps for solid wastes, be allowed after the effectivity of this Act, every LGU shall convert its open dumps to controlled dumps.” CDG/rga
