THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a cease and desist order (CDO) against the municipal government of Limay, Bataan for the operation of an open dumpsite in Barangay San Francisco de Asis I. In a statement on Thursday, the DENR said the dumpsite is located on a seven-hectare property owned by the local municipal government, which has an existing memorandum of agreement with Metro Clark Waste Management Corp. (MCWMC) for the dumpsite’s closure and rehabilitation, signed in 2015 and due to expire on December this year. Mayor Lilvir B. Roque and members of the municipal council were also summoned to the DENR headquarters in Quezon City to present their plan of action for the rehabilitation of the area. Under Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, open dumpsites are prohibited and local officials who violate this face a fine of P500,000, and an amount equivalent to 10% of his or her annual net income during the previous year as well as administrative charges. Mr. Antiporda also said that the operation of the dumpsite must be stopped because it is among the threats to Manila Bay, which is currently undergoing rehabilitation. The dumpsite is located beside a creek that flows to Mamala River, which drains into the Manila Bay. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

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