The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has called on Mayor Jaime “Jing” Capil to launch a formal investigation into the operations of the controversial Eco Protect landfill in Barangay Mancatian, Porac, Pampanga.
The request by the Environment department was in response to the growing number of complaints from residents about foul odor, dust pollution, and potential threats to water and soil safety.
In a recent radio interview, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region III Regional Director Martin Jose V. Despi confirmed that their office sent a letter to Capil last September.
Despi said to ensure that the probe will be fair and objective, the investigation has to be done by a multipartite monitoring team that would include representatives from the LGU, DENR, residents, and civil society groups.
“Sometime in September, sumulat din po tayo kay mayor na tayo ay nagrerekomenda na bumuo ng isang multipartite monitoring team,” Despi said
“Eto pong multipartite monitoring team ay binubuho ng lokal na pamahalaan, ng DENR, ng mga stakeholders, residente at civil society organizations. Para magiging kabahagi sila doon sa pagbabantay at pagsisiguro na yung mga establisyemento na katulad ng Eco Protect ay sumusunod sa ating batas at panuntunan,” Despi said.
To this day, Capil has yet to respond to the call of the DENR.
The request was done amidst the issuance of two separate Notices of Violation (NOVs) to Eco Protect. The first NOV was released in November 2024 and again in July 2025, both for noncompliance with the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and the Clean Water Act.
However, Despi clarified that the DENR has no direct power to halt Eco Protect’s operations, emphasizing that only the local government unit (LGU) has the authority to issue a suspension or closure order.
“Currently po, wala po akong information na mayroong na-issue na cease and desist order or any stoppage order either from the local government or other agencies po,” Despi said.
“Under existing laws, ang mga reklamo katulad ng mabahong amoy ay nasa saklaw ng lokal na pamahalaan dahil ito ay itinuturing na public nuisance,” ,” he added.
Despi assured residents that the DENR continues to monitor the site, require wastewater treatment improvements, and coordinate with the Porac LGU to address community concerns.
“Ang DENR ay ginagawa lahat ng pamamaraan ho para siguraduhin na maging maayos ‘yung kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan na nadyan sa malapit sa Eco Protect,” he said.
Watchdog Urges LGU Action
Apart from the DENR, national environmental watchdog Pinoy Aksyon for Governance and the Environment earlier called on Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda and Mayor Capil to take stronger action against Eco Protect, stressing that accountability cannot rest solely on national regulators.
Pinoy Aksyon President Bency Ellorin noted that the DENR’s EMB had already documented violations at the facility, including noncompliance with PD 1586 (Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System) and RA 9275 (Clean Water Act), as well as the alleged handling of hazardous hospital waste without proper safeguards.
“November 7, 2024 noncompliance to PD 1586 and RA 9275… June 11 nag-conduct sila ng investigation at nag-issue ng notice of violation noong July 9,” Ellorin said.
Ellorin urged the LGU and the provincial government to use their authority to suspend or revoke Eco Protect’s permits, noting that the landfill sits on unstable lahar deposits from Mt. Pinatubo, close to the Pasig-Potrero River, which could spread contamination during floods or earthquakes.
Residents have reported daily problems with foul odors, dust, and possible leachate contamination, especially during the rainy season.
“Kung unstable yung Eco Protect facility, pwedeng mag-contaminate yung garbage at saka yung mga toxic materials sa Pasig-Potrero River at doon sa community mismo,” Ellorin warned. (30)
