BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia has directed all barangay officials to comply with the strict implementation the city’s “no segregation, no collection” policy.
Those who will be caught not supporting or uncooperative may face sanctions.
“If it becomes necessary, we will make a sample. If we will be forced to do so, then we have to impose sanctions,” warned Leonardia.
The “no segregation, no collection” policy is in compliance with Republic Act (RA) 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
The city government had intended to start implementing the policy on March 1, but was deferred next month to give barangay officials ample time to enforce it, since they are presently tied up with five other major tasks as ordered by the national government.
Solid Waste Management Board secretariat Atty. Vicente Petierre III explained that under the law, anybody can file a case to any person violating RA 9003.
“It is stated clearly under the law that this is segregation at source, which means the first person that will take care the compliance is the barangay, Petierre claimed.
For his part, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, head of the Solid Waste Action Team, reminded all village heads that the Environment Management Board will issue a notice of violation to non-compliant barangays. He added that they will review the Environment Code of the city in order to penalize violators./PN
