The News Today Online

New local legislations up in Badiangan, Dingle towns

By Florence F. Hibionada

New local legislations are up in Iloilo towns that has not only outlawed stray dogs, chickens, goats and cows in public places. And just as it is a requirement for aspiring Ilonggo brides and grooms to plant a tree before saying their 'I dos' all for the sake of the environment, new environmental laws are up again.

This time, facing arrest in Badiangan, Iloilo are vandals and really naughty locals who are out to cause serious destruction to the town's properties.

With the nod now granted by the Iloilo Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), Municipal Ordinance No. 2005-007 makes official the town's counter-action to all acts of vandalism and other mischiefs in any and all public places. The SP in granting the nod approved the corresponding recommendation made by the Committee on Ordinances, Legal Matters and Inter-Government Relations finding the said municipal ordinance within the bounds of law.

Meantime, wanton burning of rice hays and stalks after harvest in the Municipality of Dingle faces penalties or even arrest.

This, after the SP approved Municipal Ordinance No. 2005-003 that regulates said act, long observed to be a regular post-harvest practice.

'The aforesaid ordinance also conforms with Republic Act No. 8749 otherwise known as the 'Philippines Clear Air Act of 1999' which limits the hydrocarbon emissions of vehicles as well as burning of organic materials to the effect of limiting air pollution and thereby preserving the rice hay and stalks as good materials for the production of organic fertilizers once decomposed,' excerpts of the SP Committee report stated.

The twin approvals came in Tuesday's regular session and will take effect this week.