Reason prevailed over an amassing frustration at the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) special meeting Thursday, July 17, 2008 when mayors instead voted to regulate rather than impose a total ban on the scrap metal industry.
Admitting a total ban is too harsh for the thriving scrap buying industry, Tubigon Bohol Mayor Luna Piezas withdrew an early motion against the junk business and proposed to the LMP to regulate the business instead.
But by regulation, scrap metal buyers may not sigh in relief yet.
The LMP contemplates on adopting stricter policies before scrap buying permits could be granted.
In fact, Maribojoc Bohol Mayor Leoncio Evasco, who earlier expressed alarm over the indiscriminate use of minors and school children in the industry said he still would find ways to flag down the mobile scrap metal buyers who pass through his town.
Mayors have been alarmed of the rising cases of live service dropwire thievery cases, the stolen items ending up in junk shops or in the hands of scrap metal buyers.
Majority of them also air apprehension over the apparent attempt of buyers employ an army of kids who at times steal but are immune from apprehension due to an existing Juvenile Justice Act.
Provincial lawyer Handel Lagunay, who shed his expertise at the meeting said a total ban may be unconstitutional being restrictive of free trade.
Over this, he went for stricter regulations from the end of mayors who can demand when business operators get permits.
Atty. Lagunay proposed qualifications before permits can be granted, where an agreement on age regulations requirements be imposed, additional clearances before a permit grant, the right to do on the spot inspections at their shops, and buyers keeping a daily establishment logbook which traces which items are sold by whom.
Piezas added that there indeed is money in the business and the LGU might as well use its power to maximize its gains on the matter.
Meanwhile, Inabanga mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy suggested that a technical working group be organized to make a thorough study on such a broad topic. The TWG, he said would draft an ordinance as a template for all local government units to work on and enhance according to their needs.
Admitting a total ban is too harsh for the thriving scrap buying industry, Tubigon Bohol Mayor Luna Piezas withdrew an early motion against the junk business and proposed to the LMP to regulate the business instead.
But by regulation, scrap metal buyers may not sigh in relief yet.
The LMP contemplates on adopting stricter policies before scrap buying permits could be granted.
In fact, Maribojoc Bohol Mayor Leoncio Evasco, who earlier expressed alarm over the indiscriminate use of minors and school children in the industry said he still would find ways to flag down the mobile scrap metal buyers who pass through his town.
Mayors have been alarmed of the rising cases of live service dropwire thievery cases, the stolen items ending up in junk shops or in the hands of scrap metal buyers.
Majority of them also air apprehension over the apparent attempt of buyers employ an army of kids who at times steal but are immune from apprehension due to an existing Juvenile Justice Act.
Provincial lawyer Handel Lagunay, who shed his expertise at the meeting said a total ban may be unconstitutional being restrictive of free trade.
Over this, he went for stricter regulations from the end of mayors who can demand when business operators get permits.
Atty. Lagunay proposed qualifications before permits can be granted, where an agreement on age regulations requirements be imposed, additional clearances before a permit grant, the right to do on the spot inspections at their shops, and buyers keeping a daily establishment logbook which traces which items are sold by whom.
Piezas added that there indeed is money in the business and the LGU might as well use its power to maximize its gains on the matter.
Meanwhile, Inabanga mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy suggested that a technical working group be organized to make a thorough study on such a broad topic. The TWG, he said would draft an ordinance as a template for all local government units to work on and enhance according to their needs.
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