Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 25) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has filed separate court cases against local officials from towns in Albay and Bataan for allegedly allowing open dumpsites to operate in their localities.
In a statement Monday, the DENR, through the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), named Mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro of Tabaco City, Albay, and former mayor Lilver Roque of Limay, Bataan, as principal respondents in the cases.
Luistro and Roque are accused of violating Republic Act 9003 which prohibits open dumpsites as they are said to pose “a serious threat to the environment as well as public health.”
DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and LGU Concerns Benny D. Antiporda said the cases against the officials were filed “because we want to show to everyone that the DENR and the NSWMC are serious in their role of seeing to it that RA 9003 is strictly complied with, especially by local government officials.”
The DENR is holding Luistro liable for the “illegal operation” of an open dumpsite in Tabaco City.
Meanwhile, the DENR said Roque was responsible for the operation of open dumpsites in Barangays St. Francis I and Alangan in Limay.
Also named in the case against Roque were Randy Cacho and Jesus De Luna, both former Municipal Environment and Natural Resources officers of Limay.
Reynold Martirez, City Environment and Natural Resources officer of Tabaco was named in the case against Lagman-Luistro.
The DENR statement also said administrative complaints were also filed against the respondents for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
