DENR to investigate garbage collector over Manila Bay dump

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to investigate garbage operator Philippine Ecology System Corp. (Phileco) over the dumping of solid wastes into the Manila Bay.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu ordered the investigation following several violations of the conditions in the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) issued for the company’s Vitas Marine Loading Station (VMLS) at Pier 18 in Tondo.

“It would be in the public interest to hold a full investigation to determine the liability of Phileco to the fullest extent possible. The situation is similar to that of Payatas which affected the environment and health of the residents,” Cimatu said.

The DENR-attached agency Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) found that leachate from voluminous solid wastes dumped at the transfer station were directly discharging into Manila Bay, as well as the presence of solid wastes along the bay’s shoreline.

The VMLS functions as a transfer facility for wastes collected in Metro Manila where waste materials are transported by barge to the 40-hectare Navotas Sanitary Landfill, which is also operated by Phileco.

The operator violated the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 for storing waste materials in the facility beyond the 24-hour limit.

According to EMB, Phileco failed to meet the effluent standards for phosphate and total suspended solids and for discharging untreated wastewater directly into the bay.

Meanwhile, Cimatu is looking into how DENR can implement higher fines and stringent penalties against companies and other entities that violate environmental laws.

“We need to have a mechanism that determines the full compensation cost for the damage made arising from environmental crimes, including violations of ECC conditionalities,” Cimatu said.

The EMB and Phileco are set to meet in a technical conference next week to discuss the matter.

The DENR and EMB told the operator to bring with them a position paper or present evidence during the hearing.