April 23, 2026 – Mayor Benjamin Magalong launched a fresh crackdown against persons, households and establishments dumping solid waste and wastewater into rivers, creeks, canals and other waterways in the city.
The mayor directed the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) to tighten their watch over water bodies and to apprehend polluters.
CEPMO Officer Atty. Rhenan Diwas and CEPMO Environment Management Division (EMD) Head Sofronio Pascua reminded that the office is strictly implementing a “one-strike-policy” in the issuance of notice of violation (NOV) against residents, households and establishments directly discharging excrement and septage into the open environment.
Once an NOV is issued, violators must pay the P5,000 administrative penalty and conduct necessary corrective measures within three days. Filing of cases against the violators is also being done as found necessary by the City Legal Office (CLO).
The mayor had consistently emphasized the need to safeguard the city’s river tributaries from pollution and ordered extensive and continuing inspections under the “Oplan Karayan” campaign late last year.
“We have to stop thinking only of our own convenience. We have to think of our children and the kind of environment that they will inherit for their future. If we continue to destroy our rivers, then what kind of future would our children and grandchildren have? If only for that, we should be willing to change our ways,” he reiterated.
He reminded those illegally discharging solid waste and wastewater and other discards like grease and used oil into the city’s waterways including those with leaking or overflowing septic tanks violate the city’s Environment Code and Republic Act 9275 or the Clean Water Act.
CEPMO records show that a total of 346 violators have been issued NOVs this year, 123 complied by undertaking corrective measures and 31 paid fines. A total of 782 structures were inspected in 11 barangays traversed by the Balili River and 12 barangays covered by Bued River.
In 2025, 262 were issued NOVs, 141 complied and 33 paid penalties. This was out of the 539 structures inspected in barangays spanned by Balili River. ** Aileen P. Refuerzo
