Zambales dumpsite in Aeta ancestral domain closed: DENR
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Wednesday said it has already put a stop on illegal dumpsite operations within the ancestral domain of an Aeta community in Subic, Zambales.
DENR Secretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna said the cease and desist order was issued around two days ago amid concerns raised by various groups about the disrespect in the right to ancestral domain of an Aeta community in Barangay Naugsol in Subic town.
“Mayroon kaming cease and desist order already. In fact, two days ago, huling inspection ng ating regional office, hindi na po tinatapunan ngayon. And I think they have an alternative site already in Floridablanca,” Cuna said in a Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum.
He added that the transfer of the accumulated waste to an authorized sanitary landfill has begun.
Cuna admitted that the implementation of Republic Act No. 9003 or the National Solid Waste Management Act continues to be a challenge for many local governments due to many fourth to sixth class municipalities having no sufficient funds nor area for landfills.
He also urged the public to cooperate in proper waste disposal to avert environmental problems.
“Kailangan magsimula rin sa ating mga kababayan mismo. Yung mga kababayan natin, alam niyo, masakit man aminin… nakikita natin yung amount of litter na umaabot sa mga katubigan, siyempre nanggagaling sa mga tao ito,” Cuna added.
“Kahit anong material ‘yan, kung maayos ang pagtatapon natin, hindi po tayo magkakaproblema na hinaharap natin ngayon," he concluded.
Issues on the dumpsite resurfaced following a documentary by GMA's i-Witness titled "Ibinasurang Paraiso" which aired on Sunday, July 12.
In the episode, journalist Kara David narrated that a portion of a mountain in Sitio Tibag was temporarily turned into a dumpsite in 2019 by the local government of Subic, which then lasted seven years.
Reportedly, DENR has investigated the issue in 2022 and 2025, including an issuance of a cease and desist order, but the mountain pile of garbage in the area was still unaddressed.
