By Emme Rose Santiagudo
The Iloilo City government is serious in disciplining Ilonggos and visitors who will continue to litter in the metro.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said the city government will hire additional green guards to apprehend litterbugs in the city.
“May i-hire kita nga dugang nga police auxiliaries kag ipa-deputize ko na sila. Aside sa pagbantay nila sa tanom naton kag sa mga plaza and esplanade sa kagab-ihun, mandakop man sila sang mga ma-violate sa anti-littering ordinance naton,” he stressed on Thursday.
Last year, the city government tapped 30 green guards to oversee and protect public areas like plazas and parks from vandals in the city.
The green guards were able to apprehend many vandals who destroyed flowers and ornamental plants planted in public areas.
To discipline them, the mayor personally charged the violators with malicious mischief.
The green guards have undergone training and have been deputized as sanitation officers to issue citation tickets to the violators.
They were also trained on first aid, basic life support, and self-defense.
Even during the festivities of Dinagyang 2020, Treñas emphasized that all the city ordinances like the anti-littering ordinance will be strictly implemented especially in the Traffic Discipline Zone in Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue or Diversion road in Mandurriao district
He stressed that Dinagyang spectators or tourists will not be spared.
“We will also enforce fully sa Aquino Avenue, tanan nga ordinances like jaywalking and anti-littering even if Dinagyang is approaching. Sa Dinagyang kadamo sang salakyan halin sa sagwa, but you have to understand we have traffic laws and ordinances also implemented nationally. Importante gid ang disiplina para sa aton,” he said.
