Probe eyed on landfill inside Rizal protected area

MANILA, Philippines —  An investigation will be conducted into the operation of a sanitary landfill inside a protected area in San Mateo, Rizal.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will determine whether the facility has been at the site before the area was declared protected, according to DENR Assistant Secretary Norlito Eneran said.

“The law does not allow the operation of a sanitary landfill inside a protected area, but we will verify which came first – the landfill or the protected area declaration, Eneran said.

In case the declaration came first, people behind the landfill would be held accountable, he added.

“One important thing before establishing a sanitary landfill is identifying the area where it will be built. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau must determine if the site is geologically feasible for a sanitary landfill,” Eneran said.

He said anyone found to have violated Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological  Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 may face an administrative or civil case as well as criminal indictment depending on the outcome of the investigation.