Littering at cemeteries to cost P500 to P5,000

CEBU, Philippines — Starting yesterday, the Cebu City government has deployed over 200 Barangay Environmental Officers (BEOs) to all cemeteries in the city to monitor and ensure that the public will throw their trash properly.

CCENRO head Nida Cabrera told The FREEMAN that there are at least five BEOs assigned in every cemetery who will issue citation tickets to those individuals who are caught throwing their trash improperly.

“Yes, naandan naman namo every Kalag-Kalag nga naa ta’y gi-assign nga BEOs sa sementeryo para makatabang nga dili kaayo mahugaw ang menteryo,” she said.

With the presence of BEOs, the public will be extra cautious in disposing of their trash.

Cabrera said BEOs has three shifts from 6 a. m. to 11 a.m., then 11 a.m. to 4 p. m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“Nagbutang mi og signage nga dili pataka og labay sa basura, at the same time ginadili ang pagsigarilyo sulod sa menteryo,” she added.

Persons who indiscriminately throw their trash anywhere will pay a fine amounting to P500 to P5,000. Further, any person caught violating the anti-smoking ordinance will be fined between P2,000 and P5,000.

Aside from implementing the ordinances, BEOs are also tasked to coordinate with the Department of Public Services (DPS) for the collection of garbage.

Cabrera said BEOs will call the DPS to report the areas that have tons of trash piled inside and outside the cemeteries.

Meanwhile, the DPS has assigned two to three street cleaners assigned in various cemeteries to maintain its cleanliness starting today until November 3.

With this, there will be a 24-hour trash collection just to make sure that there will be no tons of trash seen at the different cemeteries. — GAN (FREEMAN)