EcoWaste Coalition Calls for Formal Investigation into LGU Garbage Contracts

• The EcoWaste Coalition has urged the Office of the Ombudsman and the DENR to conduct formal investigations into local government waste contracts following claims of corruption by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.
• The Coalition advocates for the full utilization of the re-established Environmental Ombudsman Program to enforce the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (R.A. 9003).
• Advocacy groups warn against replacing legal enforcement with expensive waste-to-energy incineration schemes.

Allegations of Corruption

• Ombudsman Remulla stated that garbage contracts have become major profit centers for local chief executives, asserting that corruption in these deals is widespread among mayors.
• The Ombudsman criticized the DENR for significant failures in oversight, land titling, and addressing illegal reclamation.

Environmental Ombudsman Program

• The program was re-established in January 2026 after remaining dormant for nearly seven years under previous leadership.
• Originally created in 2013, the specialized unit is tasked with monitoring LGU compliance with environmental laws.
• The EcoWaste Coalition calls on this team to actively audit anomalous contracts and compel LGUs to comply with national environmental mandates.

Proposed Solutions

• Instead of pursuing commercial incineration, the government should focus on:
  • Expanding Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs).
  • Institutionalizing circular economy practices.
  • Supporting informal waste workers.
  • Enforcing strict waste segregation at the source.