Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda on Friday announced the enforcement of waste transport policies following the discovery of alleged environmental violations at the EcoProtect Management Corporation (EPMC) landfill in Porac town.
The governor made the announcement during a meeting with haulers and truckers from Pampanga and Bulacan at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
Pineda said the provincial government is intensifying regulation of waste entering the province through an impending provincial legislation.
Among the new policies to be enforced is the mandatory placing of markings on trucks to identify whether they are transporting sand, gravel, or garbage, according to the governor.
The Capitol said the measure aims to allow authorities to distinguish the type of cargo being hauled and ensure proper monitoring at checkpoints.
Trucks carrying garbage will be prohibited from transporting hazardous waste, as announced in the meeting.
Pineda stressed that the entry of toxic materials poses serious risks to public health and the environment.
The governor warned that violators will be held accountable.
The provincial government said it will require the installation of Global Positioning System (GPS) devices on waste-hauling trucks.
These devices will allow real-time monitoring of truck movements and help prevent illegal dumping activities within the province, according to the Capitol.
Pineda also announced that only haulers who attended the meeting will be granted conditional entry permits.
Those who failed to appear will remain suspended and be summoned to a separate session.
These new directives follow a 15-day suspension of hauling passes issued by the provincial government on June 11 for haulers from Bulacan, pending the results of an investigation led by the Provincial Government-Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO).
The inspection uncovered several violations, including the entry of unauthorized trucks, dumping of hazardous waste, and non-compliance with national transport and environmental regulations.
Pineda said the provincial government is set to pursue legal action against violators of these regulations.
A new provincial ordinance is being finalized to institutionalize the requirements, with the goal of enacting it within the week.
“Unfair sa mga Kapampangan kung tayo ang tatanggap ng basura ng iba,” he said. “Lalo na ang mga anak natin ang magsa-suffer kung hindi natin ito aayusin ngayon,”the governor said.