Pasig enforces local environmental laws 

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto underscored the importance of strict implementation of local environmental laws in order to protect Pasiguenos and the city’s ecosystem, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

“Kaya po tayo may mga batas para protektahan tayo bilang mga mamamayan, at para protektahan din ang ating kalikasan. Kaya napakaimportante na hinihigpitan natin ang implementsyon ng mga batas natin patungkol sa kalikasan (We have laws in order to protect us as citizens, and to protect the environment. That’s why it’s important that we strictly implement our environmental laws),” Sotto said during the flag raising ceremony on Monday, Jan. 16.

Last Jan. 12, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), and the City Administrator’s Office (CAO) ceased the operations and closed a fast-food chain in Barangay Kapasigan, Pasig City for their lack of an Environmental Permit to Operate (EPO) and discharging waste water directly from their establishment to Parian Creek.

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Sotto previously said the closure served as a warning to other establishments.

He added there is a need to monitor establishments in the city that will violate their environmental policies, and may be closed or given penalties, depending on the gravity of their offences.

“Ang sinasabi nga po natin, mula 2019, aayusin natin ang ating pamahalaan, i-streamline ang mga proseso, labanan ang mga gawaing hindi tama o nakagawian na. Aayusin natin para mas maging maganda ang implementasyon ng ating mga environmental laws (As we have said since 2019, we will reform our government, streamline the processes, and fight against wrong practices. We are fixing it in order to better implement our environmental laws),” he said.

Sotto called on the local law enforcement bodies to aid them in implementing these environmental laws.

He also urged the public, especially residents that live near the waterways, to do their part in maintaining the cleanliness of the creeks and rivers.

The local government continues to discuss and hold meetings with the Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO), CENRO, the Engineering Department and other offices regarding the most efficient ways to clean the city’s creeks, canals, and other small waterways.

During their daily house-to-house visits through the Oplan Kaayusan (OK) program, Sotto said many households in the city’s 30 barangays still experience drainage issues.

There is a lack of waste water management in certain areas, especially where waste water from houses directly flows out to the creeks and rivers.

Operations to address the drainage system, dredging and clean up of the waterways are on-going.