Mandatory seminar on waste management proposed

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Board Member Ricardo Yabut recently proposed an ordinance requiring individuals seeking business permits from the Municipal and Provincial Government to undergo a mandatory seminar on the Solid Waste Management Act.

Yabut claimed that with his proposal, benchmarked from some Provincial Governments in the country, will allow community folks and even business owners to become more aware of the continuing degradation of the environment because of irresponsible throwing of garbage.

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In an interview, Yabut bared that if his proposed ordinance will be approved by the members of the Provincial Board, the said seminar shall in effect be a prerequisite in the issuance of permits.

“No permits will be issued if the concerned individuals will refuse to undergo the seminar on waste management,” he added.

Yabut’s proposal is in line with the Provincial Government’s campaign on the garbage problem.

“Mahalaga ito kasi kapag natututo ang mga tao lalo yung mga maliliit na negosyante kung paano idi-dispose ang kanilang basura mababawasan kung hindi man mawawala ang problema natin sa basura, at kung mangyayari iyon liliit ang gagastusin ng kapitolyo sa pagkolekta ng basura,” he pointed out.

But for first district Board Member Crisostomo, Yabut’s proposal would have to be coursed through the Legal Office to check if the provisions are within the bounds and mandates of the Provincial Government.

"We will have to let the Provincial Legal Office verify if it is within our bounds. Otherwise, we could not enact the proposal," Garbo told Sun.Star Pampanga.

Fourth district Board Member Nestor “Bay” Tolentino, chair of the Provincial Board committee on environment and natural resources, for his part, suggested to the Provincial Board that his colleague’s proposal be put under his proposed provincial environment code which is now on the drawing board.

“It is such kind of proposals that will put the provincial environment code into fruition,” Tolentino quipped. (with reports from Jovi T. De Leon)