Rama to brgy captains: Back my green programs

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama asked  barangay captains  to support his environment  campaigns to cushion the impact of global warming and climate change.

Rama’s appeal  was made during yesterday’s Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) Assembly in  line with his thrust to bring the  campaign to the grassroots level.

He mentioned the garbage policy of  no-segregation-no-collection policy that started last April 2011.

This went hand in hand with the closure of the overused Inayawan Sanitary Landfill.

“You have to start at the grassroots if you want to address these problems so that the generation after us will not carry the burden of our not being serious in addressing issues on the environment,” said Rama.

Barangay captains listened quietly without   comment.

Rama also urged the City Council, Rep. Tomas Osmena (Cebu City south) and Rep. Rachel del Mar (Cebu City north) to pass laws supporting his environmental programs.

Meanwhile, Councilor Nida Cabrera called for a review of a draft  agreement for the  management of the city’s groundwater resources.

Under this pact, a permit from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) will be required before  Cebu City issues or renews  permits for well drillers and small-scale water providers.

The city government is also required to ensure the construction of leakless septic tanks to prevent groundwater contamination.

The city will also  enforce the closure and furnish NWRB with a list of all unregistered water wells within its jurisdiction and implement provisions of the Water Code.

Mayor Rama is set to sign the  proposed tripartite agreement  with the Metro Cebu Water District and  NWRB.

Cabrera, who heads the environment committee, asked Councilor Edgar Labella, head of the committee of laws, to review it.

Under the agreement, NWRB  is required to issue a cease and desist order to operators of private and commercial wells doing business in parts of Cebu City where MCWD was also capable of supplying water to consumers.

The water district is mandated by the MOA to help monitor well drilling and other water resources development activities in the city.

“The effort to optimize, preserve and maintain the water resources shall be implemented through the joint monitoring and enforcement of the law and pertinent rules and regulation for water resources use and preservation by the Cebu city government, NWRB and MCWD,” said Cabrera’s resolution to be taken up by the City Council.