By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Batac
City—The city government here finally
approved a 10-year solid waste management plan for 2014-2023.
Batac councilor Florencio
Laud, one of the main authors of the measure, said the plan provides a future
solid waste management system that complies with the requirements of Republic Act
9003 or the ecological solid waste management act of 2000.
Mr. Laud said this will
improve the information awareness for the public to decrease the amount of
wastes they generate.
Mr. Laud added that the plan
aims to ensure the protection of public health and environment; conserve and
protect the environment through proper solid waste management plan; improve
efficient and effectiveness by the city government in delivering the solid
waste management practices and help provide employment opportunities for the
community.
The plan also preserves and
protects the community for the next generation in an answer to the mandate of
RA 7160 that every local government unit shall take primary responsibility of
delivering basic services and facilities to improve the quality of life of its
constituents through programs and projects.
Mr. Laud stated that the 10-year
solid waste management plan of Batac was prepared under the supervision of the
DENR-Environmental Management Bureau Region I and with the technical guidance
of the DENR-accredited Pollution Control Association of the Philippines-Region
I.
During the last regular
session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod however, Batac vice mayor and council presiding
officer Ronald Allan M. Nalupta clarified some matters on the approved
ordinance before he finally affixed his signature for the measure to be sent to
the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
One of the clarifications was
under Section 7.1, source of reduction of chapter 7 of the solid waste
management system wherein it states the strict implementation of ‘No Styrofoam’
policy in all eateries, schools and even household levels and the
implementation of the ‘Balik Bayong Program’ to reduce the use of plastic bags
in public market and other general stores.
Mr. Nalupta how this will be
implemented as there is no existing ordinance for them. He added that this
would also need public hearings.
He added that the lack of
ordinances backing up the solid waste management plan may become a ground for
its disapproval by the higher sanggunian.
Mr. Laud said, in response,
that there are plans to enact separate ordinance for this matter.
The councilor disclosed that
an ordinance banning the use of styrofoam has already been introduced under the
committee of environment but it was tabbed for further study to follow the
restriction on the use of plastic bags.
Mr. Nalupta went on to sign
the measure after the clarification. He however added that it would be up to
the provincial board to look into this.
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