Village councilor pushes hygiene

CEBU, Philippines - Fines could be imposed on residents and businesses in barangay Bulacao, Talisay City for failure to keep their surroundings and the environment clean.

The barangay has approved a measure authored by Councilor Edwin Enerlan making it mandatory for residents and business establishments to keep their surroundings clean in a bid to prevent dengue-carrying mosquitoes from multiplying.

The measure states that residences, schools, private as well as public, and all commercial and industrial establishments shall undertake the cleaning of their own surroundings, their yards, gardens, as well as canals, roads or streets to eliminate if not destroy all things that may serve as good breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Barangay authored the ordinance.

Littering or throwing of garbage or waste in public places such as roads, canals, eatery, or sports complex is prohibited.

“To attain these objectives, it becomes the duty of every citizen and residents of this barangay to keep his environment or surroundings clean and wholesome,” Enerlan said.

Owners of idle lots are also required to keep their lots clean.

Under the measure, any person found violating shall be fined P500 for the first offense and P1,000 for the second offense without prejudice to the imposition of a higher penalty. (FREEMAN)