404 people nabbed over environmental violations

The city government of Caloocan is aiming to reinforce its programs on ecological conservation through its city environmental police composed of employees of the City Environmental Management Department.

According to CEMD officer-in-charge Ryan Castillo, the group is composed of 120 employees both from North and South Caloocan, all assigned to enforce ordinances and laws on environmental protection.

These include Ordinance 0753, which prohibits garbage disposal in public areas and imposes fines and possible imprisonment of up to 60 days.

Castillo said that the environmental police have already apprehended a total of 404 violators. He said offenders face penalties ranging from P500 to P5,000.

Recently, the environmental police officers were tasked to clean Caloocan's public cemeteries and to lead clean-up operations post-typhoon.

In addition, they also led the cleaning and hauling operations, and in monitoring the city's waterways.

The local government also called on the public to cooperate and to observe the proper storage and disposal of their waste.