Environment code set for approval

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The first Environment Code of the province of Pampanga is set for approval in the Provincial Board before the Holy Week recess.

Fourth district Board Member Nestor Tolentino, chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro), said during a public hearing Thursday that Ordinance 576, which covers the Environment Code, is already set for consolidation.

“All we need to do now is consolidate the proposed amendments from our stakeholders, but those are just simple terms and minor changes. We’ve set March 15 as the deadline for consolidation and then we could elevate the code from the committee to the plenary this coming Tuesday,” said Tolentino, who drafted and sponsored the ordinance in collaboration with the Environment and Natural Resources Office headed by Engr. Art Punsalan.

He told Sun.Star Pampanga that Capitol’s environment code is comprehensive and integrated since it covers the aspects of land, air and water, including quarrying and mining.

“Our code could also be adopted by local government units without an environment code yet. It will on the other hand complement the code or ordinance of those who already have one,” he said.