MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and other city officials will be investigated for possible administrative lapses for ordering the dumping of a pile of garbage in front of the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the city, according to Malacañang.
Palace press officer Claire Castro on Tuesday said that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) would conduct a “thorough investigation” into Duterte’s earlier statement ordering the uncollected garbage to be dumped in front of the DENR office in the city, designating it as a garbage collection site.
According to Castro, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the inquiry would be conducted to examine if there was negligence and violation of environmental laws committed by Duterte or Davao City officials.
“However, we do not want to preempt whatever action Secretary Remulla may take on this matter. What he assured us is that he will conduct an investigation,” she said.
Castro said the administrative penalties would depend on the gravity of the offense found to be committed by Duterte or city officials, ranging from reprimand, suspension, or removal from office.
The administrative complaint against Duterte, as mayor of Davao City, which is classified as a highly urbanized city, shall be filed and decided by the Office of the President (OP), under the Local Government Code of 1991.
The president may also impose a preventive suspension on elective officials of not more than 60 days while their cases are being heard, provided there is strong evidence of guilt and their continued stay in office could influence witnesses or compromise records and other evidence.
Castro told all leaders of local government units in the country: “Let us remember that you are there to serve the people, not yourselves.”
“There should be no room for negligence. Therefore, any official who disregards their constituents or neglects their duties should be investigated,” she said.
READ: Baste Duterte orders Davao City trash dumped outside DENR office
On Monday, Malacañang criticized the Davao City government for what it described as a disregard for due process and the rule of law after city officials allegedly ordered the dumping of garbage in front of the DENR Davao Region (DENR-11) office for as long as the New Carmen Sanitary Landfill remained closed.
According to Castro, the actions of the Davao City government endangered public health and safety and violated environmental regulations.
“The local government is being urged to do its job and fix its landfills to ensure proper waste management,” the Palace official said.
“The illegal dumping of garbage is not only irresponsible; it is clearly an act that should not be emulated by other local government units in the country. It deserves condemnation, not applause,” she added.
READ: DENR warns against garbage dumping outside its Davao office
On Friday, a pile of garbage was dumped on the sidewalk outside the DENR Davao Region (DENR-11) office in Barangay Lanang.
Earlier, Mayor Duterte said that they had “identified additional (garbage) collection points, including one in front of the DENR 11 office, so they can personally appreciate the volume of garbage that accumulates when an essential public service is halted indefinitely.”
Davao City is currently facing a garbage crisis with trash collection in communities experiencing delays after the DENR suspended the operation of its sanitary landfill in Barangay Carmen starting on May 22. /jpv /atm
