By RALPH JOHN MIJARES
ROXAS City – The city government has come up with a novel way of disciplining vendors at the Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center (TATC).
Vendors caught violating the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Ordinance are usually required to pay a fine.
However, if cannot pay the fine, they now have to render community service, announced the City Business and Licensing Division and the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Division.
Numerous violators are apprehended during weekly on-the-spot inspections of a team from the City Business and Licensing Division.
Solid Waste Management Focal Person Glenn Beup is leading the inspections.
The community service scheme was conceptualized by Beup and Roxas City interim manager for economic enterprises Carmen Andrade.
Under the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Ordinance, those caught littering are fined P300 for the first offense and P500 for the second offense.
Recently, 30 violators at the TATC chose to render community service. It lasted for about 30 minutes.
Beup distributed several broomsticks for them to use in cleaning the market premises.
“I have noticed a vast improvement in the culture and mindset of the people at TATC toward managing their wastes properly. They no longer rely to our market sweepers to clean their stalls and surrounding areas,” Beup said.
Beup also praised two street sweepers working overtime to keep the market clean.
Sol Eduardo, assigned at the fish section, was seen one time still sweeping until 9 p.m. While Manuel Navarra, assigned on Plaridel Street, was seen sweeping beyond 8 p.m./PN
