Community activists from the EcoWaste Coalition slammed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for failing to stop the proliferation of dumpsites in watersheds, foreshore lands and protected areas, and thus threatening the country’s biodiversity and water sources with toxic pollutants.

Instead of a cheerful pre-celebration of the Earth Day, community members of the EcoWaste Coalition donning black veils gathered in front of the DENR to mourn the government’s failure to curb threats to water safety from dumpsites and other pollution sources.

"Clean water is vital to the survival of humans and other creations. We now know that this finite resource is fast depleting due to unchecked pollution and the increasing demand from our industries and ever-growing population. Then why are we turning our remaining water sources into garbage dumps?" asked Romy Hidalgo, vice president of the EcoWaste Coalition.

"If he is really up to the job of environment secretary, we urge (Environment Secretary Lito) Atienza to close down all the illegal dumpsites now and revoke all environmental compliance certificates issued by the DENR that compromise our people’s long-term access to clean water," said Hidalgo.