Anti-Littering Ordinance receives strong support

By ADOR LEANDA HURTADO
March 27, 2012

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  Nearly 200 individuals from different sectors attended the "Orientation Seminar on the Implementation of the Anti-Littering Ordinance of Catbalogan City" last March 26, 2012 at the New Maqueda Bay Hotel organized by City Mayor Coefredo "Tekwa" Uy and Ordinance Proponent City Councilor Hon. Stephany Uy-Tan.

Attendees present were the Barangay Chairs of the 57 Barangays as well as Barangay Tanods of select barangays of the city; Traffic Enforcers of the Catbalogan City Auxiliary Traffic Brigade; from the Philippine National Police; from the academe represented by different schools and colleges; Media Partners; youth organizations, and other socio-civic groups.

City Vice-Mayor Art Sherwin Gabon gave the welcome remarks, which was followed right after by Mr. Jose Obrero, City Local Government Operations Officer from the DILG whose topic was on the salient points of RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of the Philippines.  RA 9003 was one of the basis of the Anti-Littering Ordinance of Catbalogan City.

SP Committee Chair on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources City Councilor Hon. Stephany Uy-Tan was the main proponent of the Anti-Littering Ordinance that was enacted middle of last year.  During her overview discussion, she stressed on the need of the said ordinance for three (3) reasons: (1) it being outdated since the original ordinance was enacted way back 1990 and was amended last 1993; (2) because it has been ineffective and therefore not applicable anymore to the current state of the city; and (3) because it is urgent today more than ever as the world faces more ecological and environmental issues.

Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretary Ms. Donna Jane Teves discussed on the content of the ordinance while City Legal Officer Atty. Aileen Forteza discussed on the prohibitions, penalties and sanctions mentioned in the ordinance.  An open forum was facilitated right after, that opened concerns of the barangays as to the need for segregation and proper collection, as well as on the enforcement by the PNP and Traffic Enforcers with regards to the ordinance.

Mayor Tekwa gave a strong message that highlighted on the need for political will instead of personal vested interest on the implementation of the ordinance. He further urged everyone by saying, "Pagburublig kita tanan para han mas malimpyo nga Catbalogan City."

After Mayor Tekwa's message, the talk of Ms. Lovelle Lapura of the New Life Christian Center, which was on Values Formation received much appreciation with her Three (3) Rights: Do Right Thing, You are the Right Person, and You have the Right Attitude. Ms. Herminia Cabral, City Administrator gave the closing remarks of the event.

The major highlight of the whole-day seminar was the Commitment Signing in support of the Anti-Littering Ordinance of Catbalogan City, which gathered more than one hundred signatures from different sectors.