The Metro Manila Council (MMC) has approved a unified penalty of ₱5,000 for those caught littering or improperly disposing of garbage across all 16 cities of the National Capital Region. The only exception is Pateros, which will keep its existing ₱2,500 fine.
San Juan Mayor and MMC president Francis Zamora said the move was a collective decision by Metro Manila mayors to curb the worsening waste problem. “The Metro Manila Council has agreed that we will now have a standard fine worth P5,000 for those caught throwing garbage in the wrong places, including rivers, creeks, canals, and streets,” he explained.
Under the new measure, violators face the same fine whether they discard large garbage bags or small candy wrappers. Barangay officials, police officers, and other public workers have been deputized to issue violation tickets to ensure strict enforcement.
Zamora recalled that he and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes recently inspected the San Juan River’s Lambingan Bridge and found piles of trash. He stressed that discipline is key to solving the issue. “If we will not discipline our citizens, and we will just allow them to throw garbage in rivers and creeks, we will just experience flooding on repeat,” Zamora said, warning that even upgraded drainage systems would be rendered useless if clogged with waste.
San Juan has already implemented the ₱5,000 fine, up from its previous ₱3,000 penalty, while other cities are expected to amend their ordinances accordingly.
The harmonized policy is anchored on MMDA Regulation 96-009, which prohibits littering, dumping, or improper garbage disposal in Metro Manila.
