QC revs up drive vs litterbugs

The Quezon City government is planning to tap barangay personnel to go after litterbugs, in a bid to strengthen the enforcement of its ordinances, which are intended to boost efforts for environment protection.

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. is recommending the deputation of barangay personnel, who finished high school and completed an eight-hour seminar-workshop conducted by the city’s Environment Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD) on environmental laws, to function as “barangay environmental police” and apprehend those who wantonly throw their garbage everywhere.

The EPWMD conducts the seminar-workshop on local and national environmental laws from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

EPWMD chief Frederika Rentoy said the plan to deputize barangay personnel as environment police is aimed at strengthening the capability of the communities in implementing Quezon City’s various environmental ordinances.

“This program will complement the department’s campaign on cleanliness and waste reduction,” Rentoy said.

She said once the city’s barangay environmental police are deputized, they shall undergo a three-month probationary period.

However, Rentoy said the city’s barangays should first come up with their respective environment enforcement plan.

The planned deputation of barangay personnel as environment police comes on the heels of a scheduled anti-pollution summit organized by the Quezon City government on Dec. 12.

Quezon City’s 2nd Pollution Summit is expected to gather 150 owners of “high-risk” industries and establishments, who are expected to renew their commitment to support the city’s anti-pollution drive. – Katherine Adraneda