Smoke-free drive / Building moratorium / Tree cutting

CITY HALL BEAT

Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong committed to preserve if not increase the city’s remaining forest cover which according to the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources Cordillera (DENR-CAR) continues to be threatened by incursions and now comprises only 30 percent of the city’s total land area. 

The mayor made the vow during the DENR-CAR public consultation on key environmental issues which also tackled the proposed moratorium on the construction of high rise buildings and tree-cutting.

The mayor expressed alarm on the unabated depletion of the city’s watersheds, the number of which according to him had been practically reduced to just four after two of the original six pine stands have shrunken significantly also due to squatting.

He said the city is moving to address the problems besetting the watersheds including the Busol forest reservation, the city’s biggest source of potable water which continues to be threatened by squatters.

“We are preparing actions on Busol because 40 percent of the forest are now occupied by squatters and we have to do it at a proper time so that we can still save it,”  the mayor said.

He said the preservation and even the expansion of what was left of the forest cover is one of the reasons why he pushed for the moratorium which he worked out with DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano and is now up for approval by the President.

The moratorium would include a funding component to enable the city to implement rehabilitative programs particularly on the upgrading and expansion of its sewerage treatment system.  

The mayor said it would cover the construction of commercial buildings and cutting of trees except those that are dead and causing danger to life and properties.

As proposed, it would run for one year with an option for an extension.

Those who spoke during the consultation expressed support to the cessation of constructions and cutting of trees citing the urgent need to address the city’s current environmental problems.

Baguio Water District General Manager Salvador Royeca welcomed the moratorium saying its benefits will also redound to the city’s water supply situation.

DENR-CAR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo said the city has long reached its maximum carrying capacity and the moratorium would give the city a respite from too much development. 

During the consultation, the DENR-CAR also received inputs on other crucial issues like the requirements and procedures for the issuance of tree-cutting permits and Environmental Clearance Certificate, the geo-hazard status of the different areas in the city and the solid waste management status of the city. 

The suggestions with be taken into account in the improvement of existing policies and crafting of new ones, the department assured.

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Mayor Magalong also assured full support to the city’s smoke-free campaign and to the enforcers implementing the Ordinance No. 34 series of 2017 or the Smoke-Free Ordinance of Baguio City.

The mayor chairs the Smoke-Free Task Force which spearheads the city’s campaign anchored on the ordinance 

In a meeting last July 30, Task Force members led by Tobacco Control Officer Donnabel Tubera of the City Health Services Office and Smoke-Free Project Team Leader Cecille Agpawa updated the mayor on the developments and breakthroughs relative to the drive as well as the plans and targets set for the coming years.

The mayor lauded the task force for the achievements and vowed to give all the support needed especially to the enforcers experiencing harassment in the conduct of their duties.

“Any problem or concern especially if you feel threatened or anything, call on me.  As the chairman of the task force, I will personally take care of it,” the mayor said.

During the meeting, the mayor signed the deputation order of 92 more enforcers to augment the 311 commissioned earlier to enforce the ordinance.

In her report, Tubera said a total of 535 individuals and 133 establishments have been arrested for violating the ordinance from January to May this year resulting to the collection of P304,000 in fines.

Last year, a total of 5,258 were apprehended with P2.590 million in fines.  

“More than the monetary aspect, we give premium to the impact of these apprehensions on the health of the city’s residents,” she said.

Agpawa for her part said more programs are needed to be implemented to ensure the success of the campaign particularly in the city’s ultimate goal of making tobacco control programs in the city sustainable.

The barangay officials who have been commissioned to implement the ordinance in their areas of jurisdiction have also been taking an active part in the campaign despite the problems encountered.

Enforcers said harassment has been one of the main problems being encountered in the implementation of the ordinance.