Clenro warns barangay execs: Clean up or get sued

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

CITY Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro) chief Edwin Dael yesterday warned that barangay officials who fail to help in the proper disposal of wastes could be slapped with criminal and administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Dael made the warning after he noted how barangay officials failed to make their respective constituents aware of the need for solid waste management especially during the just-concluded observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ days.

This, he said, is a violation of Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as the law on solid waste management.

The recent holidays highlighted the failure of barangays to strictly implement waste management procedures particularly in cemeteries.

“Mitaas gamay ang volume karon sa basura sa matag-sementeryo, and then it was learned that the rule on the segregation of waste was not followed,” he said.

Dael said he sent Clenro staffmembers to monitor how garbage was being disposed in the barangays, and they found out that there was no effort to implement solid waste management law.

He said there is a need to amend some city ordinances, and put in place stricter rules and regulations.

“Sila gyud ang mag-manage sa recyclable og bio-degredable,” he said.

By January, Dael said, Clenro would strictly implement RA 9003 down to the barangay level, and village officials who fail would be brought to the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Kung dili nato makab-ot ang full implementation sa basura kung ang atong mga kabarangayan dili mohimo sa ilang mandate. One of the mandates is to reduce garbage which will start in the barangay level,” he said.

Dael said he would also ask the Association of Barangay Councils chaired by Councilor Yan Lam Lim to help.

“If they (barangay officials) fail, then the Clenro would file cases. Lisod kayo nga kami lang permi ang manubag. They have their own role in the barangay level,” he said.