The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on third and final reading a proposed ordinance institutionalizing the Eco Waste and Sustainability Fair in the city.
Under the proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda, it shall be a policy of the local government that in partnership with the private sector, the barangays, educational institutions and other entities, it shall conduct programs and activities that will elevate the level of public awareness on sustainable waste management, promote sustainable and eco-friendly practices to nurture and protect the delicate balance of the city’s environment.
Further, the local government shall support programs and to substantially reduce waste generation through reduction, recycling and reuse.
The ordinance stated that the Eco Waste and Sustainability Fair of the city shall be held quarterly at a feasible public venue not otherwise prohibited by law to be conducted pursuant to existing laws and regulations. Partnerships shall be forged with church groups, districts, barangays, private entities and other groups for the conduct of fairs as part of their own environmental programs.
The measure mandates the creation of an Eco Waste and Sustainability Fair Committee through an Administrative Order to be issued by the City Mayor which will be composed of representatives from the public and private sectors. The said committee shall be chaired by the City Mayor with the City General Services Officer serving as the vice chairperson and the City Environment and Parks Management Officer as action officer. The members of the committee shall be the Chairperson of the Council Committee on health and Sanitation, Ecology and Environmental Protection; Liga ng mga Barangay; Sangguniang Kabataan Federation; City Veterinary and Agriculture Office, Zero Waste Baguio, representative of recyclers, KALIPI, FBASECA and other representatives of other groups to be identified by the committee.
The committee shall handle, manage and oversee the conduct and operation of the activity and perform such other functions necessary to carry out the smooth implementation of the fair. It shall likewise submit a written report to the City mayor and City Council within 15 days after the conclusion of every fair. It shall forge partnerships for the conduct of such fair with other entities, public and private.
The ordinance stipulated that expenses for the conduct of the aforesaid fair shall be taken from the annual budgets of CEPMO and GSO. Rental fees and other charges for the said fair shall be0 waived by the local government.
The ordinance claimed that the well-attended similar events are testaments to the active engagement and unwavering support between the private sector and the government in making a positive impact on the state of the city’s environment.
Moreover, requests from the public were echoed and re-echoed to make the fair a regular activity to raise the level of public awareness on the significance of sustainable waste management, and ultimately make the city an ecologically-friendly and sustainable city. By Dexter A. See
