Food outlet personnel to face raps for berating environmental officer

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) is determined to press charges against one of the personnel of a food outlet along Sanciangko Street in downtown area for humiliating a senior citizen environmental officer for doing her job.

The environmental officer allegedly issued a citation ticket against the food outlet for violating the city ordinance that prohibits the use of single plastic on a Wednesday. But instead of acknowledging the violation, one of the staff of the food outlet reportedly berated the environmental officer despite her being very kind and courteous. The incident had been going rounds on social media.

The said environmental officer felt so embarrassed and even cried out of humiliation.

CCENRO head Arlie Gesta said the environmental officer did not deserve such treatment from a “violator” because she was just doing her job to help protect the environment and the city from flooding.

Gesta said they have summoned the staff of the food outlet for a clarificatory hearing but did not show up. According to Gesta, he will be endorsing the incident to the City Legal Office for the appropriate filing of charges against the personnel of the food outlet.

Gesta has warned anyone insulting and disrespecting environmental officers that they will face the consequences. He admitted that the incident in Sanciangko Street was not the first humiliation experience of the environmental officers albeit it was the worst.

"Makadaghan na kaayo nga nahitabo nga pangasab-an o awayon og taman sa violators ang atong environmental officers. Pero kanang nahitabo sa kan-anan diha sa Sanciangko mao nay pinakagrabe. Senior na intawn ang environmental officer pero gisiyagit-siyagitan," said Gesta.

According to Gesta, the environmental officers were told to exercise maximum tolerance but warned violators not to abuse it.

 "Kanang atong environmental officers kanunay na sila nipatuman og maximum tolerance, gitambagan na nato sila kanunay nga dili patolan kun pang-awayon sila. Apan dili na nato himoon rason nga pang-insultohon (ug) awayon sila, igo ra intawn na nanarbaho," added Gesta. —  Sanden J. Anadia, FPL (FREEMAN)