DILG: 1,129 barangays failed to join Manila Bay cleanup

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued show cause orders to officials of over 1,100 barangays for their alleged failure to help in the Manila Bay cleanup, an official said yesterday.

DILG Undersecretary for barangay affairs Martin Diño said they gave officials of 1,129 barangays to explain why they should not be held liable before the Office of the Ombudsman for not participating in the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay.

“If we are not satisfied with their answer, we will file the case with the ombudsman,” he said in Filipino in an interview over dzMM.

These barangays are situated in Bulacan, Bataan and Pampanga in Central Luzon, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite in Region 4-A and Metro Manila.

Diño said the barangay officials could face charges for not implementing provisions of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological  Solid Waste Management Act  in their respective areas.

Among these provisions is the imposition of fines ranging from P300 to P1,000 and 15 days of community service to people caught littering.

The problem, according to Diño, is that barangay officials have been negligent in implementing the law.

He also chided some local chief executives for wanting to keep the funds for garbage collection for themselves.

The result, Diño said, is that other measures to reduce garbage such as recycling and segregation are ignored.