Bulacan gov't collects more than P100,000 from violators of ordinance for environment
The Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) collected a total of P143,000 from establishment owners who failed to comply with Provincial Ordinance No. C-005 (Ordinance Enacting the 2011 Revised Environmental Code of the Province of Bulacan).”
The ordinance aims to strengthen the local government's bid to protect and preserve its environment and natural resources.
Lawyer Julius Victor C. Degala, BENRO head, said on Friday, March 24, that in less than two months, they were able to collect P103,000 from violators last February and P40,000 from March 1 to 15.
BENRO chief Atty. Julius Victor C. Degala personally leads the cleaning of Bulacan rivers. (File photo from the official Facebook page of BENRO)
He also said that this is in response to Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando’s directive to strictly implement the ordinance. It is stated in the ordinance’s Section 58 (Grounds for Suspension or Revocation of Permits), “That after due notice and hearing, the Governor may suspend or revoke any existing and valid permit on any of the following grounds: (a) Non-compliance with, or violation of any provision of this Ordinance, and/or permit conditions; (b) False or inaccurate information in the application for a permit that led to the issuance of the permit;(c) Unjustifiable refusal to comply with the lawful inspection clause of this ordinance; (d) Unreasonable refusal to allow inspection and monitoring by BENRO personnel;(e) Failure to submit required documents for inspection, and (f) Other valid and lawful causes.” The ordinance’s Section 59 (Sanction) states that “Any person or entity who violates any provision under this Article shall be punished with a fine of not to exceed P5,000 without prejudice to the filing of appropriate charges in court under this Ordinance and existing laws, rules, and regulations.” With the consistent monitoring of BENRO’s Waste Management and Pollution Control and Enforcement Division, more business owners complied and paid their unsettled penalties, the provincial government said. “The governor is our inspiration who sparks and sustains the drive to continue with our collection efforts,” Degala said. Fernando became the first provincial chief executive to receive recognition from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office 3 (DENR RO3) for his invaluable contribution and unwavering support to the programs of the DENR Regional Office 3 towards the protection, conservation, and development of the country's environment and natural resources.
BENRO chief Atty. Julius Victor C. Degala personally leads the cleaning of Bulacan rivers. (File photo from the official Facebook page of BENRO)
He also said that this is in response to Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando’s directive to strictly implement the ordinance. It is stated in the ordinance’s Section 58 (Grounds for Suspension or Revocation of Permits), “That after due notice and hearing, the Governor may suspend or revoke any existing and valid permit on any of the following grounds: (a) Non-compliance with, or violation of any provision of this Ordinance, and/or permit conditions; (b) False or inaccurate information in the application for a permit that led to the issuance of the permit;(c) Unjustifiable refusal to comply with the lawful inspection clause of this ordinance; (d) Unreasonable refusal to allow inspection and monitoring by BENRO personnel;(e) Failure to submit required documents for inspection, and (f) Other valid and lawful causes.” The ordinance’s Section 59 (Sanction) states that “Any person or entity who violates any provision under this Article shall be punished with a fine of not to exceed P5,000 without prejudice to the filing of appropriate charges in court under this Ordinance and existing laws, rules, and regulations.” With the consistent monitoring of BENRO’s Waste Management and Pollution Control and Enforcement Division, more business owners complied and paid their unsettled penalties, the provincial government said. “The governor is our inspiration who sparks and sustains the drive to continue with our collection efforts,” Degala said. Fernando became the first provincial chief executive to receive recognition from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office 3 (DENR RO3) for his invaluable contribution and unwavering support to the programs of the DENR Regional Office 3 towards the protection, conservation, and development of the country's environment and natural resources.