Number of violators rises

CEBU, Philippines — Since the start of the strict implementation of the “No Segregation, No Collection” policy last March 1, the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) has issued more than a thousand citation tickets to household violators.

According to CCENRO head Nida Cabrera yesterday, violators would pay a fine ranging from P500 to P3,000 depending on the nature of violation.

A fine of P500 or community service will be imposed to first-time offenders while a fine of P1,000 will be imposed to for second-time offenders with a corresponding community service as well.

For third offenses, a fine of P3,000 and community service will slapped against violators.

Under the city’s existing policy, the public is asked to segregate trash to biodegradable, non-biodegradable, residual and special waste.

The city government has implemented this collection scheme in order to help reduce the hauling operation expenses.

To recall, since the controversial Inayawan landfill was shut on December 15, 2016 due to its environmental violations and non-compliance, the city has been contracting a service provider to haul the trash generated in the city to a private-owned landfill in Consolacion.

In 2017, the city spent P312.5 million for the hauling operation. This year, the city has set aside P300 million for the hauling activity.

Cabrera said the segregation policy is also in compliance with the existing Solid Waste Management Act.

Biodegradable wastes will be collected on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday while non-biodegradable waste and residual waste on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.

Collection of special waste will be announced since it needs to be handled separately by Transporter and Treatment, Storage and Disposal (TSD) facility registered with Environmental Management Bureau-7.

Cabrera yesterday commended some barangays which are compliant with the policy, such as Sawang Calero, Tejero, Mabolo, and Pasil.

She said the cooperation of the barangays is important so that the policy would be effectively implemented.

“Dili sad moundang ang atoang barangay sa pagtabang ug pagpahibawo. Naa sa barangay ang una gyud unta ang education campaign,” Cabrera said.

CCENRO has completed the information dissemination campaign in all 80 barangays in the city regarding the new scheme.

“We explained to them nga dili ni sige og sugod. Ang City Hall nag-remind lang nga this is the policy, padayon ta nga mag-segregate,” she said.

This was not the first time the city government enforced a “no segregation, no collection” policy. In 2011, the city also made a similar campaign but it was not enforced effectively. It was eventually stopped in 2014. —KBQ (FREEMAN)