Newly installed Department of Environment and Natural Resources Sec. Ramon Paje said he would bat for punishment for those caught polluting the air and waterways in Metro Manila and other urban areas.
His proposed punishment: make the polluters clean up the dirty "esteros" (small waterways) of their cities for a week.
“If I catch you polluting, you have to clean it up. If you contribute to the problem, you should contribute to the solution,” Paje told reporters.
According to Paje, he asked his legal department to study the possibility of subjecting those apprehended for smoke-belching and polluting waterways to a form of “community service” cleaning up the esteros for one week. This is separate from the fines under current laws.