Stricter implementation of anti-littering, garbage disposal rules up

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. – Aileen P. Refuerzo