THE Metro Manila Council (MMC) yesterday expressed full support for the twin proposals of Las Piñas Lone District Rep. Mark Anthony Santos seeking a comprehensive, coordinated and region-wide crackdown on littering and illegal garbage disposal across Metro Manila.
Santos welcomed the support of the metropolitan mayors, saying the MMC’s backing represents an important step toward developing a unified, sustainable and long-term solution to the region’s worsening garbage problem.
He disclosed that MMC President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora will spearhead the creation of a technical working group (TWG) to study and further develop Santos’ proposals.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes also expressed support for the initiative, saying the two measures should complement each other and provide a more coordinated and effective approach to addressing Metro Manila’s garbage problem.
Santos is proposing the establishment of dedicated “Garbage Police” units in the 17 local government units (LGUs) of Metro Manila, along with the adoption of common minimum standards and coordinated policies against littering and illegal dumping.
The lawmaker said the two proposals are intended to complement, rather than interfere with, the authority and autonomy of individual LGUs.
“I am grateful to the Metro Manila Council and our mayors for recognizing the need for a stronger and more coordinated response to littering and illegal dumping. This is not about taking away the authority of any LGU. It is about working together to address a problem that does not recognize political or city boundaries,” said Santos, who was invited to attend and present his proposals during the MMC meeting yesterday.
Santos emphasized that his proposal is rooted in his own experience in local government and his understanding of the responsibilities and challenges faced by local chief executives.
“Kaya ko po inihaharap ang panukalang ito hindi lamang bilang isang Congressman, kundi bilang isang taong nagmula rin sa local government at lubos na nauunawaan at nirerespeto ang mahalagang papel ng ating mga Mayor at LGUs,” he said.
The Las Piñas lawmaker pointed out that garbage thrown in one city can eventually find its way into drainage systems, creeks, rivers and waterways that cross into neighboring communities.
“Walang boundary ang basura. Kapag bumara ang ating mga daluyan ng tubig at nagkaroon ng pagbaha, hindi na nito tinatanong kung saang lungsod nagsimula ang problema. Kaya dapat coordinated din ang ating solusyon,” Santos said.
Under Santos’ proposal, each LGU may establish a dedicated Garbage Police Unit separate from the existing barangay tanod force.
The proposed personnel would be properly trained and duly deputized, subject to existing laws and ordinances, to monitor littering hotspots and enforce anti-littering and solid waste management regulations.
Santos said the Garbage Police should be highly visible and deployed in streets, sidewalks, markets, transport terminals, waterways, parks and other areas where littering and illegal dumping frequently occur.
He said having a dedicated enforcement unit would allow LGUs to maintain continuous and consistent enforcement, instead of relying primarily on occasional clean-up drives or enforcement operations conducted only after garbage has already accumulated.
Santos also proposed the development of a uniform or common regional framework that would define prohibited acts, establish minimum enforcement standards, improve documentation of violations and promote consistency in the implementation of anti-littering policies across Metro Manila.
He clarified that the proposed framework would not eliminate the power of individual LGUs to enact their own ordinances. Instead, it would provide common minimum standards that cities and municipalities could adopt while taking into account their respective local conditions.
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