The Barangay Sta. Monica urged its residents anew to help manage its wastes to protect the environment and the maintain the orderly and clean surroundings.
Punong Barangay Ronaldo “Mong” Sayang said that they are intensifying its drive to implement proper waste management in their barangay and they seek the help of every residents to properly observe the Tapat ko, Linis Ko to make them compliant with the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
“Ating gawing huwarang barangay ang ating barangay sa buong Lungsod ng Puerto Princesa. Atin pong ipinapatupad sa barangay ang “Tapat ko, Linis ko” sa pamamagitan nito atin pong mapapanatili ang kalinisan at kaayusan sa ating barangay,” he said.
He likewise urged his constituents to throw the wastes to designated bins only and to avoid open burning of waste especially single use plastic bags and plastic wrappers.
“Magtapon lamang tayo sa tamang tapunan ng ating mga basura at iwasang magsunog lalo na po yung mga plastic materials sa kadahilanang ito po ay nakakasira sa ating kalikasan, kapaligiran at sa ating kalusugan,” Sayang said.
Irresponsible or improper disposal of wastes, or open burning of wastes are prohibited acts in city ordinance and national laws including the Ecological Solid Waste Management and Clean Air Act.
Sayang said that they have already installed five portable fabricated steel bins for recyclable materials in strategic locations within the barangay. These bins are considered as Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). He said that they seek the technical support from the City Government to assist them in their effort to maintain cleanliness in the barangay and ensure proper disposal of wastes. In fact, they started the information drive to two purok, namely Purok Imelda and Purok Magkakaisa, and they target to include all 18 purok within the year.
He further said that they intend to get rid of stray animals such as dogs and cats in their barangay in their effort to maintain cleanliness and orderliness.
Barangay Kagawad Ezekiel Caliuag, chairman of the committee on environment said that they are studying for the adoption of an ordinance that will allow them to impose fines to those who allow their dogs, cats and animals to roam around. He said that every owners of dogs and cats should ensure confinement of their animals so that it will not cause disturbance to the public or littering to the surroundings.
Sta. Monica is one of the city’s largest barangay with a population of more than 20,000. Most of the national government agencies including the City Hall of Puerto Princesa are located in this barangay, which is only fifteen minutes’ drive from the city’s central business district.