A new legislative measure introduced in the House of Representatives aims to penalize individuals caught littering by requiring them to participate in mandatory community service, specifically focusing on clearing debris from local canals, drainages, and other waterways.
Authored by Navotas City Lone District Representative Toby Tiangco, House Bill No. 10841, also titled the “Anti-Littering Community Service Act,” sets progressive penalties: eight hours (one day) of community service for an initial infraction, two days for a second, and three days for subsequent offenses.
“Napakasimple lang naman nito: kung wala kang makitang basurahan, hawakan mo muna ang basura mo hanggang may mapagtatapunan ka nang maayos. Pero kapag itinapon natin kung saan-saan, sa kanal din ang bagsak niyan at buong komunidad ang apektado kapag bumaha,” Tiangco said in a statement released Tuesday.
The lawmaker underscored that while isolated pieces of trash may appear minor, accumulated refuse blocks drainage channels and severely exacerbates urban flooding. The legislation is intended to reinforce the enforcement of Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which already bans illegal dumping in public spaces but faces challenges due to lax implementation.
Highlighting the urgency of the issue, the bill cited a recent operation where the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority cleared roughly 750 metric tons of trapped garbage and debris from a single waterway following days of continuous heavy rainfall.
“Kapag bumabara ang kanal dahil sa basura, tayong lahat ang apektado – mga pamilyang binabaha, mga motorista, mga negosyo, at mga manggagawang kailangang maglinis. Kaya hindi sapat na may batas. Kailangan may malinaw ding pananagutan sa pagpapatupad nito,” Tiangco added.
To ensure strict compliance, the bill incorporates administrative sanctions for non-enforcing local officials and employees, ranging from a 15-day suspension without pay for a first breach to potential termination for a third offense under civil service rules.
The proposal further mandates that all cleanup activities be properly monitored and conducted with adequate protective gear, tools, and safety protocols.
Vulnerable or medically unfit individuals would be assigned safe alternative tasks, while those failing to complete required service would face legal recourse under the Revised Penal Code and other relevant laws.
If enacted, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, along with relevant agencies and local units, must issue the implementing rules and regulations within 15 days of the law taking effect.