BUSINESS establishments in Angeles City are now required to have their septic tanks cleaned prior to the issuance of their Mayor’s Permit.

This new regulation came after the approval of City Ordinance No.487, S-2019 “requiring all businesses operating in the city to have their septic vaults siphoned and vacuumed annually.”

Councilor Joseph Alfie Bonifacio authored and sponsored the said ordinance.

According to Bonifacio, “the city government of Angeles is committed to protect and promote the health, sanitation and welfare of its people as well as the quality of its water resources.”

He explained that with the emergence of business establishments; the improvement, maintenance, conservation and protection of the ecosystem from pollution and degradation vis-à-vis the protection of public health are the primordial concerns of the city government.

The councilor, who now chairs the city council’s environment and natural resources committee, said the city government should already put its foot down by not issuing business permits to non-compliant establishments.

“Let us learn from the lessons of Manila Bay which became a ‘gigantic septic tank’ and Boracay which was described as ‘a virtual cesspool’,” Bonifacio pointed out.

The ordinance also stated that “any owner or user of commercial, industrial, and institutional structures operating business in the city that fail to comply shall incur the following fines and penalties for every violation:

First Offense – Fine of P2,500 and the Issuance of a Notice of Violation.

Second Offense – Fine of P5,000 and the Issuance of a Cease and Desist Order and/or cancellation of Business Permit. (PR)