Waste policy violators rising in numbers

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government has earned over P1 million in “compromise fee” from individuals caught violating the city’s waste segregation policy from January to July this year.

City Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team also recorded an increase in the number of violators this year compared to the same period last year. According to the data, there were 16,875 violators this year compared to the 10,119 last year.

Acting CESET chief Grace Luardo said that the number of violators is constantly increasing every year despite the city’s effort to lessen the problems on solid waste disposal.

The number of apprehended violators had increased progressively from 6,064 in 2012, it went to 8,726 in 2013. From the 2013 data, the number was doubled in 2014 with 19,215.

There are also 1,571 individuals facing charges after failing to report at the CESET office despite being warned several times. The apprehended individuals were issued citation for violating City Ordinance No. 2031 otherwise known as “An Ordinance for the Implementation of Solid Waste Segregation at Source.”

The latest to be issued with citation ticket was Councilman Jean Guinto of Barangay Kalunasan.

This ordinance requires all individuals to dispose  their garbage or waste to the proper containers, classified as biodegradable waste, non-biodegradable waste, recyclables, and hazardous waste.

It is in consonance with the Republic Act 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.”

For the first offense, Luardo said, the person apprehended will be issued with a citation ticket that orders him to report to CESET office, where the person is asked to give the compromise payment of P500.

However, a person may also opt to submit into community service instead of paying the fine, she added.

“Naa man gyuy mga tawo nga wala’y ikabayad so mosabot sad ta. Instead of letting them pay for the compromise payment, amo nalang sila ipasulod ug community service diin amo sila ipadala sa mga kadalanan unya sila’y among pasilhigon sa mga basura,” said Luardo.

However, community service is not granted to violators of the city’s sustainable environmental ordinances such as the City Ordinance 2241 or “The Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance in the City of Cebu,” wherein violator will be fined P2,000. — (FREEMAN)