The Philippine National Police (PNP) has mandated all police commanders nationwide to strictly implement waste segregation and proper disposal protocols within their respective jurisdictions, joining a broader national effort to tackle the country’s worsening garbage crisis.
PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. issued the directive on Friday, emphasizing that police personnel must demonstrate environmental responsibility starting within their own headquarters and stations.
“As law enforcers, police personnel are expected to set good examples to the people we serve, and in this particular case, the proper waste management and segregation,” Nartatez said.
The order covers every police unit across the country, ranging from regional headquarters down to municipal stations and neighborhood precincts. Unit commanders are explicitly tasked with installing and maintaining dedicated, clearly labeled bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste across all facility grounds.
This internal cleanup drive responds to directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who have called for stronger, community-level waste management action.
The heightened urgency comes after President Marcos personally inspected a massive accumulation of garbage along the reclaimed area of Manila Bay near Baclaran Church, calling attention to the severe waste conditions affecting urban centers.
Beyond internal compliance, Nartatez assured that the police force will actively assist local government units (LGUs) in upholding local environmental laws and participating in public sanitation drives.
“We, in the PNP, are ready to provide assistance to the local government units in enforcing ordinances regarding waste disposal,” he said.
The PNP chief added that officers will continuously participate in community clean-up projects, reiterating the law enforcement arm’s full commitment to the national government’s push for cleaner, healthier communities.