Leyte, Northern Samar dumps ordered closed

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman’s environmental team announced yesterday the closure of three open dumps in Leyte and Northern Samar.

 The closure order on the dumps in Hindang and Bato towns in Leyte and Catarman in Northern Samar was issued after a public hearing held at the Leyte Normal University in Tacloban City last week. 

Close to 40 provincial officials attended the hearing on alleged violations of Republic Act 9003 or the National Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

The ombudsman said the environmental ombudsman team would monitor post-closure activities of the concerned local government units and ensure that the provisions of Republic Act 9003 and other environmental laws are enforced.