THE municipality of Anda shot back to what they called irresponsible statement over the collection of environment fee of P30.00 person that generates an uproar.
This contained in its “official statement” posted on its facebook page “regarding the recent misleading posts of some media institution and personalities.” But it did not name what media institution, nor personalities.
The said post referred to was the one that all those, including non-residents, entering the town must pay the said fee.
The said post triggered a confusion to the public “and cause undue harm to the local government unit’s autonomy as to the implementation of its local policies and ordinances.”
“We strongly condemn this irresponsible statement which is contrary to the real situation of its implementation,” it said.
The post said that non-residents are to be collected with the said fee has put the town in bad light
It clarified that those who are to be charged with the environment fee are those who use and enjoy the natural spots within the territorial jurisdiction of the town. This includes those who take swim on the sea, cave pools, and take a tour in the town’s tourist spots.
The official statement also explained that Municipal ordinance No. 21-2020, imposing the said fee, is implemented after it followed legal requirements and a through legislative procedures in the legislative mill, hence, it is not illegal.
The said statement warned of legal action against those who perpetrated the confusion.
“We are seriously considering the option of seeking legal action against those who intentionally cause confusion and disseminate misinformation to the general public.”
Resort owners of this white sandy-endowed town of Anda have disputed to the LGU environmental fee, saying that the new administration’s move (collection) is like a “highway robbery” and is killing the industry softly.
In their letter the resort operators/owners requested Mayor Angelina Simacio “to hold in abeyance” the implementation of said fee collection.
The collection is done at the boundary of Anda and Guindulman along the provincial road, wherein every passenger or private vehicle is being flagged down for said collection.
Gov. Aris Aumentado was reportedly requested the present administration not to cause the collection of the fee at the highway said to be a provincial road.
The resort owners alleged that the said fee collection contained in Municipal Ordinance No. 21-2020, (“environmental fee) is deficient in proper public information/consultation and lack of timing.
In her letter dated March 30, 2023 to resorts owners, the mayor disputed the latter’s claim that the Ordinance in question is not valid.
The mayor said she learned that the said Ordinance has already been submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for review and approval as a matter of procedure that all municipal ordinances must passed thru the provincial board.
The SP reportedly did not act on it. But, on the contrary, the SP referred it to the Provincial Legal Office (PLO) during the last administration reportedly without action.
The mayor said that based on the Local Government Code any municipal ordinance submitted to the SP for review that remained unacted upon for over 30 days the Ordinance is automatically approved, hence, ready for implementation. (rvo)
