ILOILO – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) declared as legal and valid Pavia, Iloilo’s Municipal Ordinance No. 2023-60 (The 2023 Revised Environmental Management Code of Pavia).
The ordinance’s author is Pavia Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Member Daniel “Dan” Fajardo II, chairman of the Committee on Environmental Protection.
On behalf of 1st District SP Member Marcelo Valentine S. Serag, chairman of the SP Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, 4th District SP Member Rolando Distura presented Committee Report No. 25, Series of 2024 ruling favorably on Municipal Ordinance No. 2023-60.
The SP committee opined that the municipal ordinance is consistent with pertinent environmental laws and Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which states that: “The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”
SB Fajardo proposed the revision of the Environmental Management Code of Pavia citing that the municipality of Pavia has evolved with rapid growth, especially in its economy, infrastructure, subdivisions, and housing developments, resulting in population growth. There is an imperative need to update the environmental management of the municipality of Pavia to align with the current technologies and practices to best protect the environment, the people, and the municipality from the growing menace of environmental pollution.
SB Fajardo expressed his gratitude to all the stakeholders of this code, most especially to his committee members and colleagues in the SB for their support and unanimous approval; Pavia Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office headed by Engr. Jolepe Suerte for the help and collaboration; and Mayor Laurence “Luigi” Anthony Gorriceta for his approval./PN
