Mandaue creates solid waste committee to ensure law compliance

Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano issued an executive order for the creation of the Solid Waste Management Program Operations, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee to ensure compliance to the city's ordinances on solid waste management.

Executive Order No. 9 issued on February 26 stated that the city's Solid Waste Management Program and its initiatives have to be sustained through enforcement of its rules and regulations and strict implementation of strategies and mechanism.

He said there is a need to regularly monitor and review the strategies and mechanics of implementation of the city's solid waste management program.

The committee is tasked to coordinate the implementation of the provisions of the solid waste ordinances as well as review its implementation of the rules and regulations.

The committee is also tasked to recommend to the Solid Waste Management Board innovations and adjustments in the disposal of wastes from households, segregated collection and final disposal as well as to formulate a maintenance program for the segregation bins and compactor trucks to ensure their full and maximum use.

Last February 18, the city government started implementing the "no segregation, no collection" policy, with a stiff warning that violators will be prosecuted within 24 hours from the time the violation is committed and face a ten-day imprisonment.

Ouano said that each barangay must be very strict in implementing this policy to ensure compliance among their respective constituents.

Under the city's Solid Waste Management Implementing Rules and Guidelines, varied penalties shall be imposed against violators ranging from a payment of a P500 fine to ten-day imprisonment. Other penalty also includes one to 15-day community service. - Mitchelle P. Calipayan