The Supreme Court of the Philippines has dismissed a petition challenging a Manila ordinance that revised garbage collection fees for businesses, allowing the city government to continue implementing the policy.
The High Court issued the ruling in a resolution dated February 25 after reviewing a petition filed by John Barry Tayam, a resident of Las Piñas City. Tayam asked the court to stop the enforcement of Manila City Ordinance No. 9151, which adjusted garbage collection fees for businesses and service agencies operating in Manila.
Tayam argued that the increase in garbage collection fees was unfair to business owners and said the charges had risen sharply. He earlier said, “Nakikita ko na hindi makatarungan para sa mga negosyante natin dito sa Lungsod ng Maynila, lalong lalo na sa mga maliliit na negosyante.”
The Supreme Court rejected the petition after finding that Tayam lacked legal standing to question the ordinance. The court noted that he is not a resident of Manila and does not operate a business or service agency in the city, which means he is not among those directly covered by the regulation.
“Clearly, petitioner is not among the covered persons under the assailed Ordinance who may suffer any direct injury as a result of the regulation’s implementation,” the court said.
The court also rejected the argument that the petition could proceed under taxpayer standing, explaining that the ordinance regulates garbage collection services and does not function as a tax or revenue measure.
The dismissal leaves the ordinance introduced under Isko Moreno Domagoso in force. Businesses operating in Manila remain responsible for paying the garbage collection fees that support the city’s waste collection and disposal services.
For residents and businesses in the capital, the ruling means the city government can continue funding garbage collection operations intended to keep streets and commercial areas clean while managing the large volume of waste produced daily in Manila.
