Bacolod City – The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod is strongly urging the general public to refrain from open burning of solid waste due to severe health and environmental hazards, especially amidst the rising heat index in Bacolod City.
The resolution authored by Councilor Em Ang said the customary practice of burning household garbage and yard waste poses a critical threat to public health. The combustion of these materials releases toxic pollutants, dioxins, and fine particulate matter directly into the ambient air.
Continuous exposure to these hazardous emissions significantly increases the risk of severe respiratory illnesses, aggravates conditions such as asthma, and compromises the immune system of vulnerable populations in the community, it said.
The unregulated burning of wastes degrades local air quality and drastically escalates the risks of uncontrollable grass fires, a threat that is severely amplified by the current rising heat index across the region, the resolution said.
It is highly imperative to foster a proactive community approach through widespread education regarding the dangers of garbage burning to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of all residents, it said.
The SP also urges the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO), Public Information Office, and the Bacolod City Environment and Natural Resources Office to collaboratively execute intensive public awareness campaigns highlighting the specific health, environmental, and fire hazards of open burning. (Chrysee Semillano via tvds photo by tvds)