BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance requiring that the roof or covering of all government-owned buildings, barangay halls, multipurpose halls, barangay covered courts, daycarecenters and existing residences or buildings that would undergo roof repainting or renovations as well as new residences or buildings be painted with cool colors to help protect the environment and manage the effects of climate change.
The ordinance authored by Vice Mayor Edison R. Bilog stated that it shall be a policy of the local government to require the roof or covering of all government-owned buildings or structures, barangay halls, multipurpose halls, barangay covered courts, daycarecenters and existing residences or buildings that would undergo roof repainting or renovations as well as new residences or buildings to be painted with cool colors.
The ordinance is aimed at presenting a simple yet effective solution to help protect the environment and manage the effects of climate change as well as contribute in the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
Under the proposed local legislative measure, any person or official or administrator found to have violated the provisions of the ordinance shall be penalized with a fine of P3,000 for the first offense, P4,000 for the second offense and P5,000 for the third and succeeding offenses.
The City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) and other concerned offices of the local government shall ensure the strict compliance of building owners to the provisions of the said ordinance.
At the same time, the CEPMO, CBAO and the City General Services Office shall submit for the approval of the City Mayor the implementing rules and regulations of the local legislative measure that shall include, among others, the paint codes of the allowable cool colors and that the same rules and regulations shall be returned to the City Council for ratification.
The ordinance provided the City Public Information Office shall ensure the proper information sharing of the ordinance to the people of the city for understanding and compliance.
Bilog claimed the local government and its constituents can effectively and efficiently contribute to the national government’s mission by introducing legislation that would help protect the environment and manage the serious negative effects of climate change on the local residents.
According to him, various studies have proven that the painting of roof or coverings of residences and buildings with cool colored paints can be a mitigation strategy against climate change and could even bring many benefits, including lower energy use, reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and improve human health and comfort.
The proposal was referred to the City Council Committee on Public Utilities, Traffic and Transport Legislation for study and recommendation.
By Dexter A. See
