Travelers to the Philippines Warned: Manila Imposes Heavy Fines for Littering

MANILA — Visitors heading to the Philippines are being warned: throwing trash in public places could cost you. The Metro Manila Council (MMC) has passed a resolution requiring city mayors to impose steep fines—up to ₱5,000 (about $85)—on anyone caught littering in the nation’s capital region.

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, who chairs the MMC, said the crackdown is part of an effort to stop garbage from being dumped into rivers, canals, and other waterways that contribute to flooding and pollution. Each Metro Manila city is expected to pass its own ordinance enforcing the fines, with the exception of Pateros, where the penalty is set at ₱2,500 (about $42).

The move comes as the garbage problem in Metro Manila, home to more than 13 million people, continues to worsen. Authorities are urging both residents and foreign visitors to dispose of waste properly—or risk paying a hefty penalty.