BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance requiring all sari-sari stores, convenient stores and other similar business establishments to provide garbage receptacles in front of their establishments and providing penalties for violation of the measure.
The ordinance authored by Vice Mayor Edison R. Bilog stated that it shall be a policy of the local government to require all sari-sari stores convenience stores, and other similar business establishments to provide garbage receptacles in front of their establishments.
The ordinance added that it shall be the responsibility of the owner or manager of the aforesaid establishments to provide garbage receptacles with the appropriate cover and labelling, namely, ‘biodegradable’ or ‘non-biodegradable.’
Likewise, it shall be upon the establishment’s personnel to ensure the proper disposal of the garbage contained in the receptacle provided to prevent the unsanitary disposal of waste in the areas where the said businesses are located.
Under the proposed ordinance, the minimum specifications of the garbage receptacles shall be 24 to 30 inches in height and 12-14 inches in width.
The ordinance noted that the owner or manager of the sari-sari stores convenience stores and other similar business establishments shall, prior to the renewal of their business permit, secure a clearance from the barangay stating among others his or her compliance to the provisions of the measure.
Subsequently, the concerned barangay officials, if necessary, shall conduct an ocular inspection of the installed receptacles prior to the release of the barangay clearance to ensure strict compliance to the requirements imposed under the said measure.
Further, the City Permits and Licensing Office shall ensure that the necessary barangay clearance is secured by the identified businesses prior to the release of their business permit applied for.
The ordinance stipulated that any owner or manager of a sari-sari store, convenience store, and other similar establishments found to have grossly violated provisions of the ordinance shall be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense and P3,000 and cancellation of business permit for the third offense, with the fines payable to the City Treasury Office.
The ordinance detailed that the barangay that shall cause the apprehension of violators within their jurisdiction in relation to the penalties imposed against them will be entitled to 50 percent share from the fines paid by the violators and that the amount shall be audited and kept by the barangay treasurer until it would be enough to purchase garbage receptacles which will be installed near schools or places or areas as may be identified by the concerned barangay.
The ordinance tasked the City General Services Office and the barangay officials of the city’s 128 barangays to ensure the strict implementation of the pertinent provisions of the measure in their areas of jurisdiction to help sustain the cleanliness all over the city as espoused by the present city leadership.
By Dexter A. See
