Baguio locals, tourists reminded to maintain cleanliness

The city council is calling on all business establishments, households, tourists, and every resident in the city to keep their surroundings clean and to observe good sanitation practices at all times.

In a resolution passed by the council, residents and tourists alike are reminded about the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation particularly during this time of pandemic.

Councilor Vladimir Cayabas, main author of the resolution, claimed that sanitary problems still persist due to some residents’ reluctance to cooperate and their lack of discipline.

Cayabas said tourists are also expected to show courtesy at all times by observing cleanliness during their stay in the city. He added that locals should serve as good examples to the city’s visitors.

The city government is making every effort to maintain and regain cleanliness in the city as reflected by the multitude of city ordinances against littering and the numerous cleanup drives conducted in different parts of the city but several areas remain unsanitary, the resolution underscored.

Under Ordinance 59-2021 (Further Amending Ordinance 54-1988 or the Anti-Litter Ordinance), anyone found littering in public places shall be penalized with a fine ranging from P1,000.00 to P5,000.00 and is required to clean or properly dispose of their waste.

In the city, every fourth Saturday of every month is set as a cleanup drive day pursuant to Executive Order 38-2019 which was issued by Mayor Benjamin Magalong on August 1, 2019. The monthly cleanup drive, however, is temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cayabas stressed that Baguio City has gained awards  for being one of the country’s cleanest and greenest cities.

In 2019, the city was recognized as one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the ASEAN Region when it won the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award.

Also, it can be remembered that the city garnered the Hall of Fame Award in 1995 for having won in the nationwide Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Highly Urbanized City for three consecutive years. -Jordan G. Habbiling