Environmental Ombudsman to file raps vs 100 LGUs

Environmental Ombudsman Gerard Mosquera. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Environmental Ombudsman Gerard Mosquera is set to file charges against 100 local government units (LGUs) for violating Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 by the start of 2017.

“Next year will be the last phase of the (Environmental Ombudsman) program. We plan to file 100 complaints against 100 LGUs,” he said in an INQ and A interview on Tuesday.

He said his team is currently working on the list given by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and aims to isolate the 100 LGUs maintaining open dumpsites, and those with the highest number of violations.

Mosquera said they have initially filed cases against 50 LGUs all over the country since April of this year for violation of the solid waste management act.

READ: Ombudsman in-depth probe underway on illegal dumpsites in Albay

“Because we filed these 50 cases, now we realized na totohanan na ito (now we realized that this is intensive), and they can actually be charged,” he said.

The Environmental Ombudsman’s fact-finding investigation was launched as part of the Office of the Ombudsman’s campaign to ensure compliance of R.A. 9003. All fact-finding cases may lead to criminal and administrative cases.

“Bago kayo makasuhan ng Ombudsman (Before the Ombudsman file a case against you), it’s best to comply now because once we file the cases, wala ng paki-usapan (no more pleas, special requests),” he warned.

He also added violators will have to face the full course of the law. “If you look on the law, there’s really no defense against a complaint or a charge for violation of 9003, because the law is very clear,” Mosquera said.

The purpose of the program is to promote higher level of compliance by other LGUs. Mosquera added they have nothing personal against the public officials who the Ombudsman is prosecuting.

“Our job is to prosecute these people so the others will not follow them for we now engage in proper or ethical or legal behavior,” he said. TVJ

READ: Ombudsman targets more dumpsites; illegal miners next