Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino on Wednesday urged Metro Manila mayors and other local chief executives to push for the passage of anti-littering ordinances within their respective jurisdiction.
Tolentino aired the appeal to heads and officers of local government units (LGUs) during a consultative meeting on solid waste management. He also announced that at least 21,000 litterbugs were apprehended by MMDA environmental enforcers since the agency re-implemented a Metro Manila Council anti-littering regulation during his term.
The MMDA head encouraged LGUs that have already passed anti-litter ordinances to implement them without let-up.
"When our local government units implement anti-littering campaigns simultaneously and as one, we will send a strong signal to the public that we mean business," he said.
He said that trash thrown indiscriminately clogs waterways, resulting in massive flooding during the rainy season.
The MMDA anti-littering regulation, which is implemented in major thoroughfares within Metro Manila, penalizes violators with fines ranging from P500 to P1,000 or community service.
Tolentino tapped "environmental enforcers" for the strict implementation of Republic Act (R.A.) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and MMDA Regulation No. 96-009 or the Anti-Littering Ordinance last September. Since then, the agency has apprehended over 21,000 litterbugs in Metro Manila.
The MMDA chairman said the environmental enforcers have been deputized to monitor the major thoroughfares of Metro Manila. Individuals caught spitting or indiscriminately throwing wastes like cigarette butts and candy wrappers are issued environmental violation receipts (EVRs).