Complaints against env’t action plan seminar fees probed

The Cebu City Council needs to revisit the Environmental Sustainability Ordinance.

Councilor Gerry Carillo suggested this action after some business establishments complained about the P750 fee collected by a private group helping the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) conduct the Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (Esap) seminars.

“Anything attached to issuance of business permits is a source of corruption,” Carillo said.

The Esap is a requirement for business operators or owners securing or renewing their business permits which is implemented through City Ordinance No. 2243 which was passed on June 2010.

Randy Navarro, Cenro Cebu City head, was invited to the session to explain the unauthorized collections of the group, Paglaum Basureros 20/20 conducting the Esap seminars, which some business establishments complained about.

The owners of the business establishments claimed that they were asked to pay P750 as registration fee, said Councilor Nida Cabrera, environment committee head.

Navarro admitted that he accepted the help of private organization Paglaum Basureros 20/20 head Francis Paragas because it’s difficult for his office to conduct seminars to around 26,000 to 28,000 business establishments in the city.

Paragas, who was also invited, didn’t show up at Wednesday’s session.

not necessary

But Cabrera clarified that the ordinance only requires the submission of an Esap but not necessarily to join seminars regarding how to make one.

“Those who already have their own environmental practices can just indicate it in their Esap,” she said.

The letters sent to business establishments inviting them to the seminar was noted and signed by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Navarro and the Paglaum Basureros. The letter also specified that there will be a registration fee.

“It seems as if the city is allowing a private organization to collect money on behalf of the city government without authority from the council,” said Carillo.

He said the Council is looking into possible administrative or criminal charges that can be filed against those involved in the unauthorized collection of fees.

Navarro also told the Council that Cenro holds free monthly Esap seminars at the Carbon Public market and City Health Office./Correspondent Jose Santino S.

Bunachita