Litterbugs arrested in Makati

A total of 265 persons were apprehended by the Makati Solid Waste Management Division (SWMD) for littering between March and April this year.

In a report submitted to Mayor Jejomar Binay, SWMD chief Raul Javier said 88 of the litterbugs were sentenced to community service, which included a day-long clean-up drive along major streets of Makati during the recent Earth Day celebration.

Another 35 of the violators were fined P500 each and the remaining 142 were summoned by the office of the SWMD for disciplinary action.

Javier pointed out that the renewed drive against litterbugs is in accordance with Binay’s order to arrest undisciplined residents and transients who dump garbage in public.

The apprehended individuals were either caught dumping household waste on the streets or throwing cigarette butts or food wrappers. Binay reminded residents to comply with the schedules of collection to avoid incurring penalties.

According to Javier, the garbage trucks pick up biodegradable waste during Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are the schedules for the non-biodegradable garbage collection.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. reminded the Metro Mayors to start developing materials recovery facilities (MRF) in their respective areas.

He added that solid waste management boards (SWMB) should also be created to ensure that segregation is being practiced at the households.

Abalos disclosed that the development of the MRFs and the creation of the SWMBs are required under Republic Act 9003 and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. – Marvin Sy