City warns public against burning of garbage

The city government reminds the public that open burning of garbage is punishable under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act.

The reminder came from the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) after receiving a report from a concerned citizen of an alleged burning of sawdust in a residence at Barangay Sto. Tomas Proper.

The concerned citizen said the open burning of sawdust had been noticed for four days thus the report to the city. 

CEPMO Environmental Management Division Head Engr. Sofronio Pascua inspected the site and found garden wastes ready for burning. 

Sofronio said while no resident was found at the time of the inspection, occupants of the property were identified and a notice of violation was issued.

Aside from the national environmental laws, City Ordinance No. 18 series of 2016 prohibits any person to burn or cause to be burned trees, grasses, loose materials such as garbage, waste or dry leaves and any other inflammable matters, including the holding of bonfires outside their residences, in any public place or land, or any private land adjoining any public land or vacant lots. Provided that an enclosed fenced lot wherein a residential house is constructed shall be considered part of the residence.

The ordinance provides that the City Mayor or his duly authorized representative may issue permits for the burning of such material or the holding of bonfires under conditions he shall deem proper and necessary.

Violation of the ordinance will be met with a PHP 500.00 fine and community service for one day at the barangay where the offense was made; PHP750 for second offense and two days community service; and, PHP1,000 for third offense and imprisonment for three days.

Violators may be reported to CEPMO at Mobile Number 09174158224. – JM Samidan