Guardo pushes green open parking space

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo has proposed an ordinance entitled, “The Green Open Parking Space” that will transform open parking spaces to green spaces.

This is one of the measures of the Cebu City Government to environmental conservation and protection, especially with the rapid development of real estates and land development projects.

The proposed ordinance covers all open parking spaces or lots used for commercial and industrial purposes.

Since most of the parking spaces in the city are bare and open, this proposed ordinance aims to have the placement of trees in between parking space of the vehicles to provide shade and a greener city to the public.

With the earth-balling projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), these open parking spaces will also serve as relocation site for the earth-balled trees affected by government projects.

“Eventually, mao na ni atong direction, once naay na earth-ball na tree, duna tay ka-transferran,” said Guardo.

He also said that this ordinance will establish policies such as maintaining of green parking standards that will observe mitigating impacts on environmental degradation.

It will also require establishments on planning and integration of green environmental spaces prior to any development parking spaces.

Implementing agencies will also be assigned for the inspection, evaluation and certification of the project by the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO), the Cebu City Planning and Development Office (CCPDO), the Cebu City Engineering Office, and the Office of the Building Official (OBO) for proper execution of the provisions of this ordinance.

The Cebu City Government implemented the “Kakayuhan Alang sa Kaugmaon” program which aims to plant three million trees in three years, as a way of battling the effects of climate change. (FREEMAN)