Deputized ‘Green Cops’ to run after violators of environmental laws

The National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) is moving heaven and earth to ensure compliance with environmental laws by creating a new squad that will run after, arrest and prosecute environmental violators.

Dubbed “Green Cops,” deputized solid waste management officers will be paid by the State and given the power to arrest violators of existing environmental laws — just like typical policemen.

Under the new guideline, the solid waste management officers are authorized to arrest violators in accordance with the law, for purposes of enforcing and implementing Republic Act 9003, its rules and regulations governing solid waste management.

NSWMC executive director Gerardo Calderon said they would try their best to keep the squad as formidable as it could through a rigid process which would somehow give it short-listed but qualified nominees to become “green cops.”

He added to be deputized, nominees would have to undergo rigid training and take qualifying examinations just like at the Philippine National Police Academy. He said no person will be deputized until he has completed the necessary training and capacity building required by the National Ecology Center (NEC) for the effective implementation of RA 9003 and its IRRs.

Incidentally, NSWMC won’t be entertaining walk-in applicants even as Ely Idelfonso of the National Ecological Center cited Section 5 of Rule XIX of their Implementing Rules and Regulations which says nominees should be limited to those who are endorsed by the Provincial Solid Waste Management Board and City/Municipal Solid Waste Management Councils.

The NSWMC chief, however, stressed an endorsement does not guarantee approval of their applications to become “green cops.” He said they intend to deputize only those persons of known integrity and probity.

Further, the NSWMC shall formulate the necessary guidelines for the protocol and procedures for deputation.

To ensure the green squad would not be “contaminated,” Calderon said they would require nominees to be at least 21 years old, at least a high school graduate, physically and morally fit, of known integrity and probity, with zero criminal record, drug-free and must pass neuro-psychiatric tests.

Calderon said those with experience in enforcing local ordinances will be preferred. Those affiliated with an environmental group or non-government organization involved in waste management shall also be given priority. –Jason Faustino, Daily Tribune