he Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will conduct an in-depth investigation into the dumping of garbage outside the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office in Davao City.
The investigation follows an order from Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte directing that the area in front of the DENR office be used as a garbage collection point in protest of the closure of the city’s sanitary landfill.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the DILG will examine whether negligence or violations of existing environmental laws occurred in connection with the incident.
According to Castro, the inquiry will focus on determining if any actions taken by involved parties may have breached environmental regulations or public service responsibilities.
Malacañang declined to speculate on what actions the DILG or Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla might take while the investigation is ongoing.
Castro said any potential accountability or sanctions would depend on the outcome of the investigation and the severity of any violations that may be established.
She emphasized that authorities should allow the investigative process to proceed before reaching conclusions regarding responsibility.
At the same time, the Palace reminded local government officials to prioritize the welfare of their constituents and carry out their duties effectively in public service.
Castro also stressed that any official found to have neglected responsibilities or failed to properly perform official duties should be subjected to appropriate investigation.
The issue emerged after the closure of Davao City’s sanitary landfill, which prompted concerns over waste disposal and management within the city.
The DILG investigation is expected to determine whether laws, regulations or administrative policies were violated during the incident.
Government officials have yet to announce a timetable for the completion of the inquiry as authorities continue gathering information and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the protest action.
