• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
An ordinance mandating the rehabilitation, clean-up, and maintenance of all creeks and rivers in the City of Bacolod to ensure free flowing waterways and prevent flooding, was passed on first reading by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod recently.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Dindo Ramos said the current climate change has caused problems like flooding and clogged drainage in highly urbanized cities like Bacolod.
Environmental concerns have always been a major matter for the government to address. Deep causes of problems like flooding, clogging of rivers, canals and waterways, may be due to rapid urbanization issues caused by poverty and apathy to the environment by the community, it said.
To mitigate the results of flooding and other related issues, it is urgent that all types of waterways should be rehabilitated and maintained, the ordinance said.
To be called “Creek and River Rehabilitation and Free-Flow Initiative of Bacolod City,” the ordinance provides for the creation of a Bacolod Waterways Task Force to oversee the rehabilitation and maintenance works. Annual clean-up drives will be conducted, and dredging operations will be implemented where necessary.
Any person found violating any provision of the ordinance will be penalized as follows: for first offense – a fine of P2,500 or community service for three days; second offense – a fine of P3,500 and community service for five days; and for third and subsequent offenses – a fine of P5,000 and/or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, subject to the discretion of the court.
If the violator is a business establishment, penalties will include suspension or revocation of business permits.*
