BAGUIO City Mayor Benjamin Magalong is backing move to impose environmental fee for visitors.
Magalong said he is strongly supporting the City Council’s move to impose the fee as it is a way for the city to address the growing needs of the environment.
Councilors Mylen Yaranon and Joel Alangsab authored the measure proposed to impose a P75 Environmental User’s Fee (EUF) to all tourists, travelers, and guests upon entering tourist destination sites in the city.
The fee will only be good for their stay in that respective site.
All funds collected will form part of the income of the city and be a part of the general funds.
The chief executive said the move is a way to emphasize the city is taking steps to care for its environment.
Magalong said problems that plague the environment are hidden but nonetheless dangerous, citing problems with contaminated rivers, the city’s sewer system and air quality as the top concerns.
“Nakatago nga lang ito, they are hidden but dangerous and people should know what is happening,” said Magalong.
The proposed law is aimed to revitalize the environment and reshape tourism promotion as the introduction of an environmental user’s fee aims to regulate resource use or reduce pollution to promote human welfare and/or protect natural systems as well as to promote the idea of responsible tourism. These fees shall be used to defray the city’s waste management and environmental programs.
Magalong said the city should collectively fight for a better environment and assured the fees to be imposed will go through a series of hearings and public consultations.