LOOC, Romblon—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered to immediately stop garbage dumping near a residential area in Looc town.

In a letter to Looc Mayor Leila Arboleda, Provincial Environment chief Marcelino R. Tanguilig, Jr. said that the dumping of unsegregated solid waste by the municipality near a residential area in Sitio Sto. Niño is a violation of the Solid Waste Management Act.

“Based on the criteria for the selection of an ideal site for waste disposal, the existing dumpsite is no longer suited for the purpose,” Tanguilig said.

He advised the municipality to immediately heed the order to avoid penalties.

The environment agency’s order stemmed from a complaint of residents about foul odor and leaching to water sources caused by the dump site.

The residents also said that aside from household garbage, hazardous wastes coming from the Don Modesto Hospital in Barangay Punta are also being dumped there.