Because the city’s 80 barangays have reportedly incurred expenses relating to garbage collection in their area, a Cebu City councilor wants an amendment to City Ordinance (CO) 1361.

Approved in the late ‘90s, CO 1361 establishes a system of garbage collection in the city, imposes fees and appropriates funds for other related purposes.

In her draft amendatory legislation, opposition Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera said the City Government has imposed garbage fees on all real property owners and business establishments in the city.

As of March 31, 2018, the City Treasurer’s Office has already collected P65,215,056.13.

The barangays, Pesquera said, have been helping the City Government in the collection of garbage in their areas.

“However, they have no source of funds or have minimal source of funds to effectively address the garbage collection problem. In 2010, the barangays were no longer allowed to charge the Clean and Green Program against their local development fund, and the expenses for the garbage collection have considerably drained their resources,” reads a portion of the proposed measure.

Under the draft ordinance, 70 percent of the proceeds of the garbage fees, including interest thereon, shall be accrued to the general fund of the City.

The remaining 30 percent, on the other hand, will be accrued to the barangay where the real properties and business establishments are located.

“The support of the barangays in maintaining cleanliness and sanitation in the city is important... It is but proper that the barangays will also share in the income generated from the imposition of garbage fees,” Pesquera said.

The proposed amendatory ordinance was referred to the committee on laws for review during the Oct. 16 regular session.

Source of news: SunStar Cebu.  Credits: Photo of Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera: cebudailynews.inquirer.net


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