MMDA forms enforcer team vs litterbugs

MANILA, Philippines - In line with its bid to re-implement Metro Manila’s anti-littering ordinance next month, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is forming a team of “environmental enforcers” who will run after litterbugs.

According to MMDA assistant general manager Cora Cruz, the environmental enforcers will be armed with environmental violation receipts (EVRs), which would be similar to the traffic violation receipts (TVRs) being carried by MMDA traffic enforcers.

Earlier, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the MMDA is eyeing the re-implementation of MMDA Regulation Number 96-009 or the anti-littering ordinance for Metro Manila.

MMDA Regulation Number 99-006 – approved by the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the agency’s policy-making body, in August 1996 – prohibits the dumping and throwing of waste in open or public places. The ordinance was suspended in 2003 after the agency focused on other priority programs.

Under the MMDA’s anti-littering ordinance, violators will be issued EVRs and fined between P500 to P1,000. Those who cannot afford the fine are to render community services. Violators with unsettled fines are denied clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation.

According to Tolentino, from January 1999 to July 2002, the MMDA caught 222,956 litterbugs, 1,583 of whom rendered community services. Of those arrested, 20,943 also faced charges before the various metropolitan trial courts.

The MMDA, for the same period, also collected P12 million in fines that were then divided between the agency and the concerned local government units.

Tolentino said he has ordered the MMDA’s Health, Public Safety and Environment Protection Office to finalize the manual of operations for the implementation of the ordinance.

“I think there is an urgent need to re-implement this law in order to keep the metropolis clean, safe and healthy,” Tolentino said.

Meanwhile, Tolentino said he would also propose the implementation of other anti-littering programs with the MMC to complement the anti-littering ordinance.

Among these, he said, includes the creation of an environmental adjudication board, an integrated health campaign, the deputation of environmental enforcers and the provision of a budget for the program.