Anti-Littering Waste board pushes for stiffer penalties

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City’s Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) wants amendment to the City Ordinance 1361 or the Anti-littering Ordinance.

Nida Cabrera, Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) head, said SWMB is pushing for a higher penalty against violators in a bid to instill discipline.

The board is composed of personnel from the Office of the Mayor, City Council’s committee on environment, academe, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and others.

Record showed that the Barangay Environmental Officers (BEOs) has issued at least 7, 724 citation tickets from January to November this year.

Of the 7, 724, 4, 380 of which are male offenders and the rest are female violators.

The increase in fine though would still depend on the consensus of the legislators, said Cabrera.

The proposal is set to be submitted to the City Council next year.

Under the existing ordinance, the violators who were issued citations will have to pay a fine ranging from P500 to P1, 000 or render a community service.

The ordinance was passed by the City Council in 2005.

For violating City Ordinance 2241 or the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance, BEOs also issued 11, 319 citations from January to November this year.

Fine ranges from P500 to P2,000.

A total of 690 individuals were also apprehended for violating City Ordinance 2031, which requires solid waste segregation at source. The fine ranges from P500 to P3, 000.

Cabrera said most of the violations occurred on Colon Street and other areas in downtown Cebu City, including Plaza Independencia and Senior Citizens Park.

Moreover, 20, 520 citation tickets were issued for violating city ordinances. Of which, 16, 512 are for filing of legal charges.

Cabrera said they will recommend the filing of charges if violators fail to appear on scheduled meeting for settlement.

“Pag-issue og citation wa motunga sa office. So nafilan og kaso mao na sila mobayad na,” she said.

CCENRO has collected at least P1.9 million in fines for violation of environmental laws.

With the number of apprehensions, Cabrera said she is satisfied with the performance of BEOs.

She said her office will closely monitor the BEOs and will terminate those who are not performing their duties well.

The city has 211 BEOs. Each receives a monthly honorarium of P4,500. — KBQ (FREEMAN)