NINE months after it was first proposed, the Provincial Board (PB) crafted Cebu’s own environment code.
A public hearing was conducted last Friday on the code that was attended by stakeholders from national government agencies, the private sector and ecology groups.
Among its features are the creation of so-called “green belts” in towns and cities in the province where development is regulated to provide a healthy, sustainable environment for communities.
Another provision called for the promotion of continued research, development and application of scientific and technological advances to improve use of resources, productivity and quality of life of the Cebuanos.
Also included are the provision of sewage treatment plants that would render sewage and domestic sludge acceptable to water bodies.
Vince Cinches, head of the ecology group 350.org, lauded the enactment of the environment code for the province.
The code covers key environment issues including coastal resource management, easement zones, wildlife protection and climate change.
It also covers land use, solid waste management and management of forests, marine and other resources.
A technical working group composed of agencies like the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Energy and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) pooled their efforts with groups like the Uniting for Sustainable Water and Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF). Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus