THE MUNICIPAL Council of Buguias has approved an ordinance specifying measures to protect its lakes, rivers and creeks.
The ordinance, “Providing measures to protect the bodies of water within the municipality of Buguias, providing penalties for violations thereof”, aims to protect natural resources, particularly aquatic species.
The ordinance states it is necessary the local government enacts an ordinance providing measures to protect the bodies of water within the municipality.
Under the new law, preventive measures include unlawful washing off of pesticide or chemical containers in bodies of water and illegal use of toxic and poisonous substances for fishing within the town.
In addition, it is also unlawful to dump non-degradable waste along the water and illegal to use electrical fishing devices.
A fine of P1,000 or imprisonment for one month or both awaits first-time offenders, P2,000 or two-month imprisonment for second offense, and P2,500 or imprisonment of three months for third offense.
Personnel of the local government were tasked to implement the ordinance together with the barangay officials and the barangay peacekeeping action team.
Members of the Benguet Provincial Board gave a favorable review of the Municipal Ordinance No. 37-2018 authored by Councilors Pepito Bay-an, Esto Asayco and Ireneo Calwag.