CENRO told: Give updates on COVID-19 gear disposal

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has requested the city’s Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) to provide updates to the City Council on the implementation of City Ordinance No. 2605.

Authored by Councilor Alvin Dizon, CO 2605 is also known as “An ordinance Prohibiting the Improper Disposal of Face Masks and Other COVID-19 Protective Gears and Products in the City of Cebu and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof.”

It was passed on January 27, 2021.

Dizon said the purpose of this measure is to specifically prohibit and penalize the improper disposal of soiled facemasks and other items used to counter the transmission of COVID-19.

Its objectives are to stop the unsafe disposal of facemasks and related protective gears and products, ensure the ecological management of COVID-19 waste and to promote waste workers’ health and safety, and promote health awareness and environmental responsibility among the citizens.

The ordinance shall apply to the disposal of all types of facemasks, face shields, hand gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE), disinfectants, and hygiene products such as wipes, tissues, rubbing alcohol, and hand sanitizers.

Pursuant to Section 10 of the ordinance, the CCENRO shall take the lead in its strict enforcement.

Section 11 provides for the conduct of a barangay-level information and education campaigns to promote awareness and compliance with the ordinance.

Those who violate the provisions of the ordinance will be penalized with a fine of P1,000 for first offense; P2,000 for second offense; and P3,000 or one month imprisonment or both for third and subsequent offenses.

If the offender is a juridical entity, the penalties are a fine of P2,000 for first offense; P3,000 for second offense; and P5,000 and revocation of business permit for third and subsequent offenses. — KQD (FREEMAN)