• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
An ordinance regulating the transport, storage, reuse, recycling, reprocessing or disposal of used cooking oil and grease trap waste by restaurants, food outlets and other similar establishments in Bacolod City, was passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod on second reading Wednesday.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Claudio Puentevella said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Revised Procedures and Standards for the Management of Hazardous Waste (Revising DAO 2004-36) (DENR Administrative Order No. 2013-22) classifying used/waste cooking oil and grease trap waste oil, including sludge, as hazardous waste.
Under the measure, it would be unlawful for any person or entity to buy or sell or illegally dispose used cooking oil, except for industrial purposes, such as lubricant, soap-making and weather-proofing of exterior woodwork, among others, it said.
The ordinance said the DENR has identified used cooking oil as presenting an unreasonable risk and/or injury to health or the environment, and identified said substance as hazardous waste which should be properly regulated, whereby its storage, treatment, transport, export, processing, reprocessing, recycling and disposal are required to be covered or done with permits issued by the DENR.
It requires all private, commercial or business establishments in Bacolod City that generate used/waste cooking oil and grease trap waste, and all service providers engaged in the transport, storage, treatment and disposal of the same, to register their respective business activity for purposes of monitoring and ensuring their compliance to the provisions of R.A. 6969, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and other relevant environmental laws, rules and regulations.
Any person found violating the provisions of this ordinance will be meted the penalty of P2,000 for the first offense; P3,000 and/or imprisonment of not more than five days at the discretion of the court for the second offense; and P5,000 and revocation of business permit and/or imprisonment of not more than five days at the discretion of the court for the third offense, the ordinance said.*
