[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’ Holiday trash alarm Environment dep’t’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
[todaysdate]
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
ILOILO City – Is it possible to celebrate the holidays without trashing the environment?
It can certainly be done, according to the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Regional Director Jim O Sampulna had a simple and doable tip: dispose holiday trash in the garbage bin.
Take conscious steps to reduce the volume of holiday trash by not scattering garbage just anywhere, he appealed to Western Visayans yesterday.
Christmas parties – in private and government offices and companies, and in public and private schools – started as early as the last week of November, Sampulna observed. He expected the celebrations to reach their peak by the end of December, New Year’s Eve, and generate volumes of discards.
The director’s Christmas and New Year wish: “Kontani matinlo nga pagsaulog naton sang Paskwa kag pagsug-alaw sang bag-ong tuig.”
Think of the environment even during the celebrations, Sampulna urged Ilonggos.
He also encouraged local government units to hold community fireworks displays to discourage the individual setting off of firecrackers.
“Local chief executives can help protect their constituents from becoming victims of firecracker injuries by designating a specific area for the community fireworks display,” he said.
This scheme is also environment-friendly, he added.
“Through this, they can contain their trash from exploding fireworks in one area while ensuring that everyone is safe,” Sampulna explained.
Local governments must see to it that personnel of the the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police and Department of Health are on standby during the conduct of fireworks display, he added.
But aside from generating trash, Ilonggos must be wary, too, of the toxic emissions from firecrackers or fireworks because these contribute to air pollution, said the director.
“We need to be cautious because firecrackers and fireworks could pollute the air and can make us sick,” warned Sampulna.
President Rodrigo Duterte wanted to impose a nationwide ban on the use of firecrackers but deferred the plan, citing the economic displacement of thousands of people engaged in this industry either as factory workers or retailers. He expressed hope, however, that Congress would act on a bill ensuring public safety from firecrackers by the early part of 2017.
“We are urging everyone to keep the environment clean even while celebrating the festivities,” said Sampulna./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
