PINAMALAYAN, Oriental Mindoro — The municipal government of Pinamalayan recently led the coastal cleanup activity in the coastal barangays of this town.
Executive Assistant John Dave Delos Santos of the Office of the Municipal Mayor said they are complying with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 as mandated by RA 9003.
The law aims to protect public health and environment, as well as utilize environmentally-sound methods and encourage public cooperation and self-regulation among waste generators in the community.
Among the participants of the activity were employees of the municipal government, teachers, youth, Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), civic organizations and the barangay councils.
Relative to this, the municipal government is strictly implementing Ordinance No. 03-2016, imposing corresponding penalties to individuals who are caught littering in public places and even destructions of public property and other activities leading to environmental pollutions and the like.
Under the said ordinance, a first offense would cost P500 fine or four hours community service; second offense with a fine of P1,000 or four hours community service; and third offense with a fine of P2,500 or six months imprisonment or more as mandated by the court.
To sustain environmental cleanliness, the municipal government is encouraging the public to report violators of the law to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) through the following numbers: 043-2844428, 09989729273 (Smart) and 09173031647 (Globe). (LTC/PIA-Mimaropa/Calapan)
