BAGUIO CITY – The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Baguio-Benguet Chapter (PCCI-BBC) voiced out its vehement opposition to some of the provisions of a proposed ordinance more particularly on the mandatory submission of environmental sustainability action plan (ESAP) upon securing or renewing business and renewing business or mayor’s permit, saying that micro, small and medium enterprises that comprise the majority of businesses in the city are susceptible to any additional requirements imposed by the government agencies in the processing, securing or renewing business permits.
In its position paper submitted to the city council, the PCCI-BBC believe that the ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. proposes important considerations for developing the city in the pursuit of having an environmentally sound and sustainable economy as expressed by the proposed sustainable development ordinance of the city.
“ The proposed ordinance does not contain specific polices, rules and regulations for locally significant projects which particular considerations apply. We believe further that under this framework should be done in conjunction with the city government’s environmental planning policy and must be considered in the preparation of local plans, and is a material consideration in planning decisions related to sustainable development,” the position paper stressed.
Earlier, the city council deferred action on the ordinance requiring all persons operating or doing business within the territorial jurisdiction of the city for the mandatory submission of environment sustainable action plan upon securing or renewing business and/or mayor’s permit and providing penalties for violation thereof considering that there is a need for the author to refine the same.
The group recommended that the proposal must be consolidated with the city’s environment code which will provide the policy framework, basic guidelines and institutional mechanisms to operationalize the said policies, rules and regulations concerning environmental sustainable action plan as indicated in the proposal.
Further, the PCCI-BBC urged the council to facilitate the immediate passage of the comprehensive land use plan (CLUP) and revision of the zoning ordinance that will contribute in solving environmental sustainable issues.
The group also called on the city government to review the specific measures and conditions of the environmental compliance certificates required and issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from various concerned business industries operating in the city to avoid overlapping of policies, rules, laws and regulation requirements.
It also challenged the council to constantly inform and provide updates to the public on the status of programs and projects of the city in relation to geohazard assessment study for the city, sustainable water integration management program, solid and liquid waste management program, formulation of the city’s traffic and transport master plan, formulation of the city’s local shelter plan, comprehensive development of the urban park system, public sector education facilities development program, formulation of the city’s poverty reduction plan, energy, specifically conservation program and green building ordinance.
By Dexter A. See
