FLOODING in Bacolod City is a constant problem, so the flashflood on Monday, Oct. 3, was not surprising. But it was made worse by an unfinished drainage project.
The problem on flooding, however, has long been there. And the main culprit is the city’s clogged sewers. In this regard, we call for the strict enforcement of Republic Act 9003 (the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act) and Republic Act 9275 (the Clean Water Act). RA 9003 prohibits littering, open dumping and other acts that pose harm to health and sanitation while RA 9275 prohibits the discharging of materials that could cause water pollution or impede the natural flow in the water body.
Recklessly thrown discards from the tiny but toxic cigarette filters to the ubiquitous plastic bags and Styrofoam containers can block water channels and cause flashfloods. Local authorities should deploy environmental police to catch and charge offenders. Under RA 9003, litterbugs can be fined from P300 to P1,000, compelled to undertake community service or be required to pay the fine as well as render community service, while violators of RA 9275 can be fined not less than P10,000 to not more P200,000 for every day of violation.
There must be a stringent implementation of our two major environmental laws to prevent chronic flashfloods aggravated by clogged canals and creeks.
We appeal to all households and business establishments to stop indiscriminate garbage disposal, knowing that what we carelessly dispose of will come back to haunt our families and communities. As the saying goes, basurang tinapon mo, babalik sa iyo.
