Baguio City anti- trash drive upped

 CITY HALL BEAT

Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government will intensify the implementation of its anti-littering and garbage disposal rules in line with the revitalized "Clean and Orderly Baguio" program as directed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
    City General Services Officer Eugene Buyucan and Special Services Division Acting Head Michelle Agbuya called on the barangays, establishments and residents to strictly observe waste disposal rules to avoid penalty.
    They also called on barangay officials to ensure strict observance of garbage collection schedules, segregation and other proper waste disposal practices among their constituents which are all part of their functions.
Buyucan said violators will be issued notices for violation of the Environment Code of Baguio City and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
    The GSO's designated solid waste management information-education-communication (IEC) team leaders and enforcers will continue to conduct inspections and validation of reported incidents.

The Baguio City Police Office under Acting City Director P Col. Francis Bulwayan intensified their field monitoring and dispatch of reports.
    Violators are also liable for violation of Ordinance No. 54-1988 as amended by Ordinance No. 59-2020 or the city's Anti-Littering Ordinance which declares as "unlawful for any person to spit, or expectorate discharge mucus from the nose, urinate, defecate, vomit, throw, dump, leave or scatter pieces of paper, peelings, cigarette or tobacco butts, soil or any kind of refuse or garbage in public places."
    The ordinance imposes penalties of fines ranging from P1,000-5,000.
    "We all need to step up.  Our barangay officials need to make sure their constituents are strictly observing the schedule of garbage collections. It is part of their functions and for the police to help apprehend violators. We need a coordinated effort on this to make Baguio clean," Buyucan said.
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Personnel of bus companies utilizing bus terminals at Gov. Pack Road and Marcoville barangay were strongly reminded to see to the upkeep of their premises.
    Said areas had been observed to be untidy on different occasions.
    The roving team of Col. Bulwayan noted litter scattered at the vicinity of the Gov. Pack Road terminal and undertook the clean-up. 
    The team said they engaged the bus companies' security personnel as well as the dispatchers to practice proper waste disposal and segregation.  Passers-by were given the same reminder.
    Recently, a netizen also called the city's attention on the unsanitary condition of the terminal at Marcoville. 
    The City Engineering Office immediately called the attention of Marcoville punong barangay Ruel Casuga who immediately engaged the bus firm to clean up their premises.
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong last Oct. 13 announced intensifying the Clean and Orderly Baguio program which includes ensuring quick response to  issues like improper garbage disposal, untidy surroundings, clogged canals and others.
    Residents may participate in the program by immediately reporting littered places, clogged canals and the like.      Just take a photo and report via the Baguio in My Pocket (BIMP) application or just dial 911.
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The City Environment and Parks Management Office has warned food establishments against dumping grease and used oil in the city's canals and waterways or face penalties for violating Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990.
    The city has been receiving reports of restaurants and eateries discreetly disposing grease into the city's storm drains prompting Mayor Magalong to order an investigation.
    The presence of grease deposits in drainage pipes is one of the determined causes of clogging of the water passageways that lead to flooding of streets.
    Cooking oil deposits mixed with water, soil and waste materials solidify and form a compacted blockage that is difficult to dislodge.
    After the flooding incident at Session Road due to the sudden heavy downpour last Oct. 9, the CEPMO inspected two food chains along Session Road to check on the disposal of their used oil and determine if this contributed to the clogging of the drainage along the road.
    CEPM Officer lawyer Rhenan Diwas said they required the establishments to submit DENR pollution control documents to verify compliance with hazardous waste disposal and ensure that they are not disposing in the storm drains.

They have also been reminded of the proper ways of handling grease and food wastes in accordance with the guidelines of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources.

Said waste is to be collected and treated by the DENR's accredited contractor subject to permits to be issued by DENR Environment Management Bureau pursuant to RA 6969.

The city will also undertake other measures to catch those resorting to this illegal practice.