By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – The city government has ordered the immediate removal of garbage near the Sum-ag River in Barangay Sum-ag following a meeting Monday with the property owner, environmental agencies, and other concerned offices.
Ma. Fe Trespuentes, officer-in-charge of the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (Benro), said in a media interview that the property owner requested a 60-day extension for hauling and clearing the site.
The City Legal Office served a cease and desist order on April 16 after the City Mayor’s Office received an incident report from Benro on April 15 regarding unauthorized dumping beside the Sum-ag River.
Benro verified that the dumping operation had no approved permit, which constitutes a violation of Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
“Such act not only endangers public health and safety, but also pollutes water resources, harms biodiversity, and violates environmental laws,” Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez stated in the order.
The property owner was directed to immediately stop dumping and to remove and properly dispose of all waste dumped in the area.
A technical conference was held Monday to find a solution to the illegal dumping issue.
According to Trespuentes, their investigation showed that 225 10-wheeler truckloads of garbage had been dumped in the area since late March, allegedly as filling material.
She said the property owner pledged full cooperation in resolving the issue.
She added that the owner sought the city’s help after discovering that his contractor allegedly misled him into believing the material delivered was garden soil for landscaping.
Trespuentes clarified that the city’s priority is the removal of the garbage, and any agreement between the owner and contractor is a separate matter.
A similar case was discovered in Barangay Punta Taytay.
City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu said another cease and desist order will be issued to a second property owner for the same violation.
Following the incidents, Trespuentes said the garbage monitoring team has been ordered to inspect all areas in the city to prevent further illegal dumping.
She said they are currently gathering evidence and information regarding the Punta Taytay case.
Meanwhile, Benitez emphasized the city’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws.
He said some violators may be misinformed or assume the city will not act.
“It takes time to change old habits, but we will continue monitoring illegal activities and ensure accountability for those who harm the environment,” he said.
