CITY OF MALOLOS – A total of P143,000 penalties were collected by the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) from establishment owners who were not able to comply with Provincial Ordinance No. C-005, an Ordinance Enacting the 2011 Revised Environmental Code of the Province of Bulacan.
BENRO Head Atty. Julius Victor C. Degala said that in less than two months, they were able to collect P103,000 last February and P40,000 from March 1 to 15.
He said that this is in response to Governor Daniel R. Fernando’s directive to strictly implement the said ordinance.
It is stated in 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 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.”
Furthermore, in Section 59. Sanction, “Any person or entity who violates any provision under this Article shall be punished with a fine of not to exceed five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) 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 strictly complied and paid their unsettled penalties caused by their non-compliance.
“The governor is our inspiration who sparks and sustains the drive to continue with our collection efforts,” Degala said.
It can be recalled that Fernando became the first provincial chief executive to receive a recognition from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office 3 (DENR RO3) recently for his invaluable contribution and unwavering support to the programs of the DENR RO3 towards the protection, conservation and development of the country’s environment and natural resources.
