ESWMB on Solid Ground

By: Chita de la Crus-Heap

KALIBO, Aklan - The Ecological Solid Waste management Board met for the last time on May 30, 2011 to decide how strictly they will impose the implementation of the anti-Littering and anti-illegal dumping and other issues connected with this problem.
The meeting was held at the second floor of the municipal hall of Kalibo. The ESWMB comprises of various Civil Society Organizations and is tasked to promote, ensure, and monitor the progress of Municipal Ordinance 2009-004.

In order for municipal officials and employees to be useful partners in this endeavour they were given a three day orientation courseon how to implement this ordinance. Beginning June 1 to June 7 the ESWMB will send out press releases to fully inform the people of Kalibo of what they should expect once caught violating the said ordinance.

Kool Earth was tasked to undertake the radio calls to disseminate information on the air. On June 4, 2011, a review workshop will be held for the solid waste management enforcers for the environmental citation tickets for the violators of the ordinance.

On June 5 to June 7, 2011, the ESWMS task force will remove all the signages that were placed in strategic places announcing the anti littering and anti illegal dumping campaign.On June 8th is the final day for starting the strict enforcement of the two provisions of Municipal Ordinance 2009-004.

These are the acts that are prohibited by the MO No. 2009-004.

a) Littering, illegal dumping, and illegal disposal of garbage;
b) Urinating and defecating in a public place;
c) Dirty frontage and immediate surroundings;
d) Improper and untimely stacking of garbage outside residences or establishments;
e) Non-segregation and improper disposal of wastes;
f) Non provision of segregated trash receptacles in public utility vehicles, push cart vendors, and business establishments;
g) Spilling, scattering, littering of wastes by public utility vehicles;
h) Illegal posting or installations of signage, billboards, posters, streamers and others
i) Open burning of waste
j) Failure to attend orientation on solid waste management for institutional, business,

and commercial establishments.

Who has the authority to apprehend violators of this Ordinance?

1. The SWMS Enforces who can be recognized bys their yellow and green uniforms with identification cards and deputation ID clearly and visibly displayed are in charge of issuing Environmental Citation Tickets (ECT) to those caught violating the ordinance.

Other Deputized Apprehending Officers or Enforcers

1. Municipal Solid Waste Management Board
2. Barangay Solid Waste Management Committee
3. All municipal and Barangay officials to help in the implementation of the Code in their respective areas of jurisdiction in close coordination with the Philippine National Police and other concerned offices of the Local Government Unit of Kalibo./TE