100 Central Luzon execs face raps over illegal dumps over illegal dumps

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines - At least 100 local officials of 10 towns in Central Luzon have been charged before the Office of the Ombudsman for operating open dumps.

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) filed the complaint against the mayors, vice mayors and members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Abucay and Mariveles in Bataan; Paombong and Hagonoy in Bulacan; Cuyapo, General Tinio, Jaen, Bongabon and San Isidro in Nueva Ecija, and San Simon in Pampanga before the office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday. ??

 “Aside from filing charges, we ordered the closure of the dumps in Mariveles, General Tinio, Jaen and San Simon,” Claudio said.

Claudio said the local officials failed to comply with Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act despite repeated demands.

The law prohibits the establishment or operation of open dumps, including the disposal of solid waste by local government units or any person.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera, who heads the environmental ombudsman team, earlier received some 50 complaints filed by environmental group EcoWaste Coalition against 600 local officials for violation of RA 9003.