City earns P300K from eco-waste fines in 9 months

CEBU, Philippines — In nine months this year, the Cebu City government has collected around P300,000 in fines for littering and smoking in public.

This was disclosed by the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) head, Engr. Arleigh Gesta.

During the Cebu City PIO-initiated Panaghisgot forum, the amount collected accordingly was from 160 individuals and establishments who were issued with citation tickets and fined for either throwing garbage into the river, disposing of their garbage in the wrong areas, or failing to clean their surroundings.

Another 150 individuals were also caught for violations against the anti-smoking ordinance and for improper septage disposal.

“Fines range from P500-P2,000 depending kung unsa ilang na violate ug kung ikapila na ni nila nabuhat through our enforcement arm which is CESET,” Gesta said.

CCENRO together with the Department of Public Services is very thankful for the efforts of CESET headed by Grace Luardo for strictly enforcing the city ordinances against violators.

“Dako kaayo mi og pasalamat…kay sila na gyud ang atong enforcement team kay makuyawan mi sa una sa DPS kay pirme makadawat og reports on violence and threats among mga tao sa una,” said Engr. John Paul Gelasque, assistant department head of the DPS.

Gelasque recalls CESET personnel getting bullied when apprehending violators.

“Sa una man gud kay binagsa ra ang magpamulta sa mga violators maong ma-bully sila (sa ilang dakpon). Unya karon ang CESET kay daghan na man sila maong dili na gyud sila ma-bully,” added Gelasque.

More than the amount of collection from fines though, the city government is after of the residents to be responsible and disciplined with Mayor Mike Rama’s Oplan Disiplina as its guide.

It was also learned that in the past three weeks, the city has conducted seminars in the different barangays on existing laws and ordinances that mandate everyone to observe proper waste disposal.

Gesta said there are even barangays and establishments that reached out to their office requesting for a seminar on proper waste disposal and the penalties.

“Naa na man gyud ang mga barangays ug establishments, one of them is SM Cebu. Ang kulang na lang gyud nato kay ang saktong pagbuhat lang, which is mao ang pinakalisod buhaton,” Gesta said. — GMR (FREEMAN)