Mayor wants regular inspection of creeks, waterways

Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong ordered the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) to inspect creeks and waterways on a regular basis to firm up the city’s Clean and Orderly Baguio campaign.

The mayor berated residents want only throwing their waste into creeks and waterways saying cleanliness, orderliness and discipline begins at home.

“We need to inculcate behavioral change among residents for us to achieve our goal of a clean, green and orderly Baguio,” Mayor Magalong said. 

The mayor likewise ordered the Special Services Division under the City Mayor’s Office to involve the barangays in the implementation of the clean, green and orderly Baguio campaign.

CEPMO Department Head Rhenan Diwas said they have been regularly conducting clean-up activities on creek easements with the personnel of the City Engineering Office, the Baguio City Police Office, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the concerned barangay officials as well as civic organizations.

However, he lamented that residents near waterways and creek easements lack the discipline and care for the environment.

Some have been found encroaching creek easements in violation of environmental laws.

The city government was able to map about over 800 informal settlers living along fault lines, river and creek easements in Baguio City. – JMPS