Over 3T caught violating garbage law in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - In just two months since the new garbage policy was implemented in Cebu City, over 3,000 violators have been issued citation tickets.

The Cebu City Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Team reported an increasing number of garbage violators since waste segregation policy took effect last April. 

 Reports from the different Barangay Environmental Officers show that a total of 3,173 violators of the Republic Act no. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and City Ordinance 2031 have been apprehended in April and May.

There were 1,289 violators caught in April, the number has increased in May with 1,884 more apprehensions. CESET member Ana Maria Cinco said all violators in April have already been charged before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Cinco said out of the 1,884 violators in May, 368 of them have paid their P500 fine at the Cebu City Hall. The 1,516 who have not paid their fines will be charged for violation of the City Ordinance 2031 and R.A. 9003.

The ordinance and the solid waste law prohibit the disposal of wastes that are not properly segregated particularly the integration of hazardous or special wastes with regular garbage. These also prohibit the disposal of garbage outside and beyond the scheduled day of collection.

Violators will be made to pay P500 fine for the first offense; P1,500 for the second offense and one day community service in the barangay.

Those who failed to pay the fine will be charged for violation of the Solid Waste Management Act.

CESET reported that it has recorded most number of violators in Sambag II in the North District and Quiot in the south.

CESET chief Eric Surban said they are deploying five environmental officers everyday in each barangay to monitor and to educate the people. — (FREEMAN)