ZAMBALES 1st District Representative Jay Khonghun took swift action against environmental violators after personally ordering the arrest of two men caught illegally dumping garbage along the Subic Bypass Road during a heavy downpour caused by the southwest monsoon (habagat).
Rep. Khonghun was en route to Manila the other day when he noticed an unusual pile of trash along the roadside in Barangay Matain, Subic.
“Nagsimula po iyan noong napadaan ako sa Bypass Road patungong Maynila. Nakita ko na kahit walang mga bahay doon, tambak ang mga basura,” Khonghun recounted. “Lagi ko pong pinapahakot halos araw-araw o kada dalawang araw. Pero nagtataka ako, araw-araw na lang may tambak ng basura.”
Shortly after, he received reports from concerned residents that two men had been seen carelessly throwing garbage from a pickup truck heading south.
Acting quickly, Rep. Khonghun ordered a pursuit operation, during which the suspects were intercepted near a police checkpoint in the same barangay and taken into custody. They were detained for 15 hours at the Subic Municipal Police Station.
The lawmaker emphasized that the move was not for publicity but a genuine response from a public servant deeply concerned about the environment.
“This wasn’t about my action,” he said. “It was about protecting a place we’ve worked so hard to keep clean. Seeing it treated like a dumpsite is disheartening.”
He underscored the importance of the Subic Bypass Road, calling it a symbolic and literal gateway to Zambales for both residents and tourists.
“Lahat ng dumadaan sa bypass road na papuntang Zambales, ‘yan ang una nilang dinadaanan at nakikita. Pangit naman kung puro tambak ng basura ang makikita nila sa Zambales,” he said. “Kaya nagbigay tayo ng babala — kung sino ang magtatapon ng basura sa buong bypass road ay ikukulong at idedemanda.”
The suspects, both non-residents of Subic, were initially charged with illegal dumping. They later appealed for leniency and volunteered to perform community service.
While open to their request, Rep. Khonghun said their time behind bars may already serve as a powerful lesson.
“Sinampahan ng kaso, pero nakiusap na hindi na nila uulitin. Naitala ang pangalan nila at sila ay nakulong nang halos 15 oras. Siguro naman magtatanda na sila dahil sa karanasan nila sa loob ng kulungan,” he said.
Turning the spotlight to a larger national concern, Rep. Khonghun warned that environmental neglect — especially improper waste disposal and lack of garbage segregation — continues to worsen flooding and pollution throughout the country.
“Ngayon, napakalaking pagbaha ang nangyayari tuwing ganitong panahon,” he said. “Nagiging barado ang ating mga kanal, at bumabalik ang mga basurang itinatapon natin. ‘Yan ang pangit na epekto ng hindi maayos na pag-segregate ng basura.”
He called on all local government units (LGUs) to take stronger, visible action to uphold environmental protection policies and instill discipline in waste management.
“Responsibilidad natin, katuwang ang ating pamahalaan, na tulungan ang ating mga kababayan sa pagkakaroon ng malinis na kapaligiran upang maiwasan ang pagbaha sa ating lugar,” he emphasized.
Rep. Khonghun concluded by reminding the public that protecting the environment is not just the task of leaders but a shared duty of every Filipino.
