Councilor Patrick Alex Hagedorn is seeking the help of the media and other stakeholders to restore public discipline as he pushes for the revival and strict enforcement of Puerto Princesa’s Anti-Littering Ordinance.
He said the success of the campaign will depend not only on apprehending violators but also on raising public awareness about proper waste disposal.
The city government has already started taking action. The Puerto Princesa City Police Office has begun enforcing the ordinance and apprehending offenders even before being summoned by the council.
Hagedorn said the next critical step is information dissemination, which is where the media plays a key role.
“Paunti-unti na nating nabubuhay ang Anti-Littering Ordinance at nasabi na ng City PNP na ginagawa na nila ang implementasyon nito at tuloy sa panghuhuli ng mga lumalabag kahit hindi pa man sila pinapatawag sa komite. Ngayon na nakuha narin natin ang media at sa susunod naman ay i-imbitahan naman natin ang mga airlines,” he said.
Media organizations said they will support the campaign, which Hagedorn believes will help shape public attitudes toward cleanliness and discipline.
After securing their involvement, he plans to engage airlines next so that even visitors entering the city will receive the message.
Councilor Luis Marcaida III said the city’s TODA Federation has also committed to support the campaign.
“We are so happy na lahat ng andun na mga presidente ng TODA ay nag-manifest na o-obligahin nila lahat ng mga miyembro nila sa bawat TODA na mayroon tayong 20 TODA na sumali at makiisa dito sa ating panukala na i-intensify uli itong drive sa Anti-Littering Ordinance natin,” he said.
Hagedorn has also filed a resolution encouraging schools to include lessons on proper waste disposal, while Councilor Gerry Abad suggested reviving the anti-littering “jingle” that used to play on radio stations, public areas, and garbage trucks to reinforce the message.
“Pwede siguro na lagi nila itong i-play sa kanilang mga program kasi ilang minuto lang naman ito at para kahit papaano, ‘yung ating mga kababayan sa Puerto Princesa ay mas lalong tatanim sa isipan nila na bawal nga talagang magkalat ng basura sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa. Actually, sa mga garbage truck natin ay lagi ‘yang tinutugtog every morning before pero ngayon ay wala na. Kung gusto talaga nating i-intensify ito ay buhayin natin uli ‘yun,” Abad said.
Hagedorn said collaboration with the media and other sectors is crucial in building a long-term culture of discipline and responsibility among residents.
