Illegal Iloilo, Aklan dumpsites probed

Environmental investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) are conducting an investigation into illegal dumpsites maintained in the provinces of Iloilo and Aklan.

Several local officials from the towns of Banate Ajuy, Sara, Sta. Barbara and Concepcion in Iloilo, and Nabas in Aklan attended a series of clarificatory hearings conducted last week in Iloilo City.

The fact-finding investigation spearheaded by the Environmental Ombudsman (EO) is being conducted as part of a national campaign to ensure compliance with Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003).

It will be recalled that last May 2016, the EO team closed three open dumpsites in the municipalities of Hindang and Bato in Leyte, and in Catarman, Northern Samar.

Upon receipt of the complaint filed by the National Solid Waste Management Commission in 10 February 2016, the EO gave local officials a non-extendible period of 30 days within which to submit their explanation and a safe closure and rehabilitation plan (SCRP) which must include a proposal to immediately close the open dumpsite.

The EO also ordered the local officials to detail the specific tasks, activities and legislative action to be completed within six months of SCRP implementation.

The EO group will monitor postclosure activities of the LGUs concerned and ensure that the provisions of RA 9003 and other environmental laws are fully implemented.

Under its mandate, the EO team headed by Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera shall investigate complaints filed against any environmental protection official and employee, and recommend the imposition of appropriate penalties and/or the filing of criminal indictments.

The next hearing of the case is scheduled on September 16 in Cebu City.