Ordinance applied after 3 years

CEBU, Philippines - For the first time, the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) has finally implemented the ordinance on the mandatory submission of Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP) after it was deferred three years ago.

The ordinance was approved last June 30, 2010 but the implementation was suspended for two years and another one year moratorium.

Councilor Nida Cabrera who authored the moratorium ordinance explained that it was suspended because CCENRO needs ample time to effectively formulate the necessary guidelines for the full implementation of the program.

CCENRO has received the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) last August for the ESAP.

ESAP is a vital requisite upon securing or renewal of business permits to all persons doing or operating businesses within the territorial jurisdiction of Cebu City.

There are 28,000 business establishments within the city mandated to submit ESAP upon the renewal of their business permits January next year.

CCENRO chairman Randy Navarro told The Freeman that all business establishments sustain two action programs every year and an additional two programs for the succeeding years such as tree planting, soil conservation and vegetation program; anti-smoking and emission; gray water treatment, establishment of rain water catchment and coastal clean-up.

There are also programs for waste management such as waste segregation, composting, recycling, plastic regulation and programs on reuse of recyclables while use of compact florescent light, wise use of electricity and use of renewal source of energy for energy conservation programs.

But Navarro clarified that the sustainability of the programs will basically depend on the nature of business for the small and big business establishments.

Navarro also said that the deadline for the submission of ESAP will be on November 30 but if the business establishment will not be able to comply until the said month they will be giving one month extension until December 30.

“First 15 days grace period and another 15 days to comply the two activities or programs. If di ka comply within or on 30 days ma-suspend or dili ma-renew ang permit kay it’s mandatory requirement,” Navarro added.

In line with the implementation of the ordinance, CCENRO conducted the first ever tree-growing activity with almost 300 individuals from different 250 establishments in Cebu City participated last Thursday.

CCENRO will also be having the next tree planting activity on October 25. —/GMR (FREEMAN)