THERE is no need for the incoming Baguio City Council to codify the existing City Environment Code.
In the weekly “Talakayan sa Environment Code” radio program, BRM chairman Erdolfo Balajadia questioned the motive of Vice Mayor-elect Faustino Olowan stating there is no need to codify the environment code since it is already an ordinance.
“I am addressing this to the city council especially to our vice mayor - elect Olowan not to think of codifying our existing environmental ordinances, resolutions and regulations in the city because we already have an existing one. What they can do is to improve the environment code, they may remove whatever they deem as not applicable, amend whatever they feel needs to be amended, or at the worst scenario is to obliterate the entire code and create a new code,” Balajadia said.
The BRM chair said it will not be possible though to create another code as replacement to the existing code.
“In fact, I have been complaining on why the City Council creates environmental ordinances without considering the environment code. I think the public has the right to tell the members of the City Council on what is right. If not, then tell me that I am wrong and probably let’s have a debate on this,” the BRM Chair stated.
Meanwhile, BRM urged Mayor-elect Benjie Magalong to start the reactivation of the committees under the environment code which will look and study the code which would help his administration.
“We have many problems in the city that we need to look into so probably the mayor-elect can call for a meeting regarding these concerns including non-government organizations doing something for the environment and BRM is offering its services,” Balajadia added.
BRM chairman lawyer Erdolfo Balajadia was the author of the City Environment Code when it was passed in the legislative department of the city during his incumbency as City Councilor.