Implementation of Sanitation Ordinance assessed
The Iloilo City Solid Waste Management Board (ICSWMB) Technical Working Group is expected to present this week their assessment of the implementation of Regulation Ordinance 149, an ordinance which prescribes the penalties inimical to cleanliness and sanitation.
Initially, the TWG and its enforcement arm which includes the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office and City Environment and Natural Resources focused their campaign in the City Proper. Major establishments are located at the city proper and it covers 45 barangays.
They conducted an information education campaign from September 29 until October 10, 2008. During such period, they have issued sanitation citation tickets against several individuals. Those who were issued with sanitation citation tickets have no idea regarding the implementation of the ordinance.
Offenders who were issued sanitation citation ticket were only put on record. No penalties were imposed during the information campaign period. The commercial establishment owners were also directed to observe the garbage collection period or else they will also be penalized.
Ordinance 149 prohibits littering on the street, sidewalks, parks, playgrounds and other public places, urinating, defecating or spitting in public places, painting, inscribing or posting graffiti on public places or public buildings, walls, fence and similar places.
It also prohibits vandalism of public or private property. The failure to clean the premises surrounding the public and private building or vacant lots connotes violation in the ordinance. The city mayor may order the cleaning of the premises of vacant lot at the expense of the owner.
A person found violating the ordinance shall be issued a citation ticket in such a form as the city mayor may devise commanding the violator to appear before the mayor's office within 72-hours from the issuance to the violator to show cause why she or he should not be prosecuted for violating the ordinance.
Within 72-hour period, the respondent may elect in lieu of the prosecution to voluntary fine. For the 1st offense the fine is P500; 2nd offense P750 and 3rd offense P1,000. In the 4th offense, there is no fine as the case would be referred to the City Prosecutors Office.
The group have to reassess on how they are going to implement the regulation ordinance and raise awareness about the enforcement of sanitation citation tickets against the violators. The TWG at the same time wants to assess the cooperation of the barangay officials on the sanitation campaign. The city's 180 barangays were also reminded of the waste segregation.