CCENRO sanctions brgys for dirty rivers

The Cebu City Environment Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) has called the attention of some barangay officials for not complying with the directive of Mayor Edgardo Labella to help the city monitor the state of waterways and help in keeping them clean.

Among the barangay officials who received a complaint from CCENRO is Zapatera Barangay Captain Francisco Benedicto.

Lawyer John Jigo Dacua, CCENRO Head, has confirmed that more than 500 individuals and establishments were issued citation tickets for not following the mayor’s directive in keeping the waterways clean.

Dacua said that the different barangays that were caught not having enough toilets already went to their office to settle their penalties and promised that they will construct their own septic tanks 45 days after the issuance of their citation tickets.

“Kung based lang sa penalties nga nabayad, mga more or less P400,000 to P500,000,” said Dacua.

He added the past clean up drives the city government had conducted were “just the immediate solution but is not the ultimate solution to the problem.”

He also said that clean ups were made to make a statement that the city government is serious in rehabilitating the river systems and other tributaries.

Councilor Phillip Zafra said that they are in the process of giving summons to Benedicto for him to answer to the complaint of CCENRO in 10 days.

“We are going to conduct a hearing and after ma-meet tanang punto, we will come up with a recommendation. It is up for the committee members to decide whatever will be their recommendations,” said Zafra.

He had confirmed that based on the ordinance and the local government code, Benedicto might be suspended if he fails to provide an explanation on why he failed to follow the mayor’s directive.

“We are serious in enforcing and implementing our environmental laws and ordinances,” said Dacua.

The FREEMAN tried but failed to get Benedicto‘s side.

Dacua said that they are studying how to rehabilitate the Guadalupe river.

“It takes a better plan. It’s a coordinated plan. Kinahanglan sad nato i-enforce ang three-meter easement for urban areas. Kana coordinated gyud na tanan, enforcement of three-meter easement, ang pag-dredge, asa ilabay ang mga silted materials, unsay pwedeng mabuhat anang mga silted materials,” said Dacua.

“Kana dako gyud na sya nga project but it will come after sa atong mga clean ups,” he added. — Mary Ruth R.