Impose stiffer penalties on littering - Cabanlas

Councilor Edgar S. Cabanlas proposed for the amendment of Ordinance No. 13378-2018, otherwise known as An Ordinance Providing for the Integrated Ecological Solid Waste Management of Cagayan de Oro City, to strengthen its enforcement and curb the unabated illegal throwing of garbage in the city.

Cabanlas, in his special report, acknowledged the persistent issue of solid waste disposal in the city but noted that the local government is actively addressing the problem and implementing measures to mitigate its impact.

The councilor cited Section 56 of the ordinance, which prohibits littering, throwing, or dumping waste in public places such as roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros, parks, or establishments.

Despite existing regulations and the issuance of Ordinance Violation Receipts (OVRs) to offenders, he observed that many residents continue to disregard the law.

“Despite the issuance of OVRs, wala gihapon nausab ang batasan sa tawo. Dili man gyud pwede ibutang ang basura sa kalsada or anywhere else,” Cabanlas lamented.

Currently, violators are fined ₱500 to ₱2,000 or community service ranging from one to five days. Cabanlas, however, described these penalties as too lenient and insufficient to deter violations.

“I think this is very lenient, a very negligible penalty for a felony that affects the entire City of Cagayan de Oro,” he explained.

He proposed increasing the fine to ₱5,000 and imprisonment of up to three months for violators.

Cabanlas also proposed to amend Section 58 and repeal Section 60, which provides the issuance of OVRs to violators. He instead recommended that apprehending officers immediately arrest and bring violators to the police station for filing of charges.

The councilor emphasized that stricter enforcement is necessary to instill discipline and promote responsible waste disposal among residents.

His proposal has been referred to the committee on environment for further study (JAO/SP)