CITY OF MALOLOS — Seven individuals, including the owner of a plastic and sacks recycling facility were arrested for violating the Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 during the joint operation conducted by the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) and Criminal Investigation and Detection group (CIDG) Bulacan Provincial Unit alongside with San Rafael police on Monday afternoon (May 26) at Brgy. Capihan in San Rafael, Bulacan.
The operation was coordinated in response to a complaint lodged by BENRO against A.L.A. Plastic/Sacks Recycling for continuous operation despite having a closure order issued by the Office of the Mayor of San Rafael in July 29, 2022.
According to BENRO Chief Atty. Julius Victor Degala, the recycling facility has a record of multiple environmental violations, including improper waste disposal, stagnant wastewater accumulation, and open burning—all which are strictly prohibited in RA 9003.
Moreover, Mary Jane D. Sarboda, Environmental Management Specialist II at BENRO, said the involved individuals were caught engaging in improper waste segregation, collection, storage, treatment, and disposal during the operation. The reports also showed that the facility has been operating without the necessary permits and authorization from the concerned government agencies.
The manager of the facility was also arrested along with the other five workers.
Meanwhile, Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando praised the success of the operation, stating that this is a huge step towards holding those environmental violators accountable for destructing the nature.
“Ipinagmamalaki po natin ang tagumpay ng operasyon na ‘to, napakalaking hakbang po nito para sa pagpapanagot sa mga taong patuloy na sumisira sa ating kalikasan at gayundin sa pagsira sa kalusugan at paglalagay sa panganib sa ating mga kababayan,” he said. (UnliNews Online)
