On cigarette butts as No. 2 pollutant, Legarda calls for strict enforcement of anti-littering law, asks smokers to be more responsible
As the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ranked cigarette butts as the second highest pollutant in the country, Senator Loren Legarda today called for the strict enforcement of the Anti-Littering Law and asked smokers to be more responsible in disposing cigarette butts.
“Smokers should be more responsible when they dispose their used cigarette butts. Smoking alone, with the various chemicals in cigarettes, pollute the air, now even cigarette butts are major pollutants because they are just being thrown anywhere,” she said.
“Everyone, not only smokers, should practice throwing their litter in waste baskets. It’s a simple act, yet people find it hard to follow. Law enforcers, particularly the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), should strictly implement the Anti-Littering Law to prevent people from throwing their litter just about anywhere,” she added.
Last September, the MMDA started the re-implementation of the Anti-Littering Law. Most of those apprehended were caught throwing cigarette butts on the road.
Legarda said that this concern should be addressed immediately as it poses several environmental hazards.
The Senator noted that according to the EcoWaste Coalition, cigarette butts take up to about 15 years to break down, and in the process releases some 4,000 left-over chemicals that can harm the ecosystems.
“We should always bear in mind that anything that would harm our ecosystem makes us more susceptible to threats of disasters. Thus, we have to protect and preserve our ecosystem because this is one of our important tools for our disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategy,” Legarda concluded. (Office of Senator Loren Legarda/PIA-Caraga)
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POLICE REPORTS
By PO2 Darlin Cabalinan-Migullas
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Report on shooting incident
A certain Manuel Cabaron y Medado, 18 years old, single and a resident of P-1, Brgy. San Joaquin, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur reported to Prosperidad Municipal Police Station (MPS) on November 15, 2010 at around 12:18 in the afternoon, that his father one Menarjun Cabaron y Ecarma, 43 years old, was allegedly shot by one Ananias Anebasi, of legal age, married, farmer, both residents of said place on November 13, 201, around 11:00 O’clock in the evening at the said place.
Allegedly, the victim was shot by the suspect using unknown caliber of firearm, wherein, the said victim sustained lone gunshot wound on his left lower leg and was brought to D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital for medical treatment, while the suspect fled to unknown direction. Motive-misunderstanding. Prosperidad MPS took cognizance of the case. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
Report on robbery incident
An establishment of OTTO located at Surigao Provincial Grandstand, Rizal Street, Brgy. Washington, Surigao City, owned by a certain Grace Sabado was allegedly robbed by Johny Gueral Congayo, of legal age, single, stockman of the said establishment and a resident of Payawan 1, Brgy. Luna, Surigao City, around 7:40 in the morning of November 14, 2010.
Investigation disclosed that the suspect boxed and mauled a certain Delia Apuyo Trilles, 60 years old, mother of the owner of the said store and a resident of Lot, 14, Canlanipa Homes, Brgy. Canlanipa, Surigao City.
Said victim sustained contusion, bruises and injuries at the different parts of her body and she was brought to Caraga Regional Hospital for medical treatment. Suspect took the keys and cash money amounting to more or less PhP39,000.00 then fled to unknown direction.
Manhunt operation is still on going for possible arrest of the suspect. Appropriate criminal charges are being prepared for filing in court against the suspect. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
Report on vehicular accident
On November 13, 2010, around 5:00 O’clock in the afternoon at the National Highway, Brgy. Antipolo, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, one red Honda XRM 125 single motorcycle without plate number, driven by one Geddion Ladera y Dasean, 26 years old, married and a back rider named Rey Perales y Hanopol, 34 years old, married, both residents of P-1B, Brgy. Hornasan, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, accidentally collided with one Isuzu elf six-wheeler truck bearing plate number UEU-479, driven by one Rodrigo Pastoriza y Cortez, 32 years old, married and a resident of Purok Magtalisay, Mankilam, Tagum City.
The said motorcycle was dragged under and the driver was run over by the said truck. Said motorcycle driver was brought to Marihatag District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Both vehicles were impounded and the driver of Isuzu elf was placed under the custody of Marihatag MPS for proper disposition. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
