By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to investigate the operation of a sanitary landfill located within a protected area in San Mateo, Rizal, to determine whether environmental laws have been violated.
DENR Assistant Secretary Norlito Eneran said the agency will first establish whether the landfill was already operating before the area was declared a protected zone, a key factor in determining possible legal liabilities.
“The law does not allow the operation of a sanitary landfill inside a protected area, but we must verify which came first—the landfill or the declaration of the protected area,” Eneran said.
If the investigation finds that the protected area designation predates the landfill’s establishment, those responsible for its operation could face administrative, civil, or criminal sanctions.
Eneran emphasized that selecting a site for a sanitary landfill requires rigorous technical evaluation, including geological assessments by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), to ensure the location is environmentally safe and suitable for waste disposal.
“One of the most important requirements before establishing a sanitary landfill is determining whether the site is geologically feasible,” he said.
The DENR is also examining possible violations of Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which governs the proper management and disposal of solid waste across the country.
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, individuals or entities found to have violated environmental regulations may face administrative penalties, civil liabilities, and criminal prosecution.
The planned probe underscores the government’s continuing efforts to enforce environmental protection laws and ensure that waste management facilities operate only in locations that comply with ecological and public safety standards.
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