Press Release
April 14, 2009

JAIL FOR BEACH WASTE DUMPERS SOUGHT

To protect the country's water resources amid the on-going summer activities, Senator Bong Revilla filed a bill seeking to imprison individuals and companies who dump their garbage in beaches nationwide.

Revilla expressed his alarm after citing a report of the US-based Ocean Conservancy Organization that ranked the Philippines as the second country in the world with the most trash recovered from its oceans. "It looks like our seas have already become an open dumpsite. The incidence of flooding and health threats such as red tide due to the pollution of our coastlines and seas result to loss of human and marine lives. We must address this ecological dilemma effectively and as soon as possible," he said.

According to Ocean Conservancy, about 1,355,236 items of trash were recovered from the Philippines' shorelines, ocean surfaces and waters during the International Coastal Cleanup conducted by the group in September last year. The United States topped the list of countries with the most trash recovered, with 3,945,855 items. In third place was Costa Rica with 1,017,621 items.

Topping the list of trash items recovered from the Philippines ' territorial waters were plastic bags (679,957 pieces), paper bags (253,013) and food wrappers (103,226). Also recovered were 38,394 pieces of clothing and shoes, 55,814 tobacco-related items including cigarette butts (34,154), lighters and wrappers, and 11,077 diapers.

The senator stressed that through the years, the country's 421 principal rivers, 384 river systems, and 18,417 kilometers of coastline have been robbed of its potential usefulness because of extensive dumping of wastes. "It is the policy of the government to guarantee to the people a balanced and healthful environment in full accord with the rhythm of nature. Hence, all rivers, river systems, beaches, shores and other waterways should be declared as ecological zones subject to the full protection of the government," he said.

Revilla filed SB no. 777 which is aimed to imprison anyone who dumps solid, toxic, hazardous or even domestic garbage into the sea, beaches, rivers and other waterways within Philippine territory. Under the bill, all rivers, river systems, beaches and waterways in the country shall be declared as ecological zones, to be administered by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and subsequently to be devolved to the Local Government Units. It shall be declared unlawful for any person or company to dump solid, toxic and hazardous waste, untreated sewage or domestic garbage into the river system or other waterways.

Any person or group who violates the legislative measure shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not more than eight (8) years, and a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000) but not more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000). If the offender is a government official or employee, he shall be permanently barred from holding any public office, appointment or employment. The title, license, permit or lease held by the offender over the occupancy or use of the portion of river system or waterway will automatically be revoked. "We must enforce the rights and obligations of every citizen to a balanced and healthful ecology. We must legally equip the government in pursuing environmental protection objectives and enforcing corresponding laws, rules and regulations," the lawmaker explained. "We have one of the longest coastlines in the world and we must ensure the sustainability of this great natural resource for our people to enjoy."

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