LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Gov. Amado Espino Jr. signed into law last Wednesday two major regulatory measures, the Environment Code and the Health and Sanitation Code, that are expected to boost the provincial government’s campaign for a balanced ecology and a healthy public life.
Finally, after six years in the legislative mill, the Pangasinan Environment Code under Provincial Ordinance 159-2012 was passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) last July 2 following a series of public hearings that drew mass support from local leaders and residents.
It was authored by second district board member Von Mark Mendoza who chairs the SP’s environment committee.
The code delineates the limits and extent of use of the province’s natural resources and provides specific guidelines in “preserving the resilience of nature through a management system that will foster human dignity and enable people to provide for their economic, social and physical well-being.”
Mendoza said the code strengthens the capability of the various local government units (LGUs) in protecting the environment, as it reconciles the modes of implementation of programs and activities aimed at promoting a sustainable and balanced ecology.
As approved, the code facilitates the adoption and implementation of environment protection measures agreed upon by the national government and LGUs of the province under an inter-LGU arrangement for greater uniformity and effectiveness in environmental protection.
On the other hand, the Health and Sanitation Code under Provincial Ordinance 162-2012, authored by board members Jeremy Agerico Rosario, Angel Baniqued and Mendoza, serves as guide in regulating food-based industries, especially agricultural and marine products, livestock, swine, poultry, and water, among others.
The code enacted last Monday also covers hospitals, hotel and recreation facilities, beauty clinics and parlors as well as burial grounds, sewerage and other establishments, and commodities catering to the public.
“These are monumental pieces of legislation,” said sixth district board member Alfonso Bince Jr., considered the longest serving lawmaker of the province.
“The enactment of the twin ordinances clearly buttresses the initiatives of the governor on sustainable environment and healthy public life,” Rosario said.
Vice Gov. Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. and SP members witnessed the signing of the two ordinances.