The City Council of Dumaguete has passed on third and final reading an Ordinance regulating the use of plastics in the City.
The Ordinance, introduced by Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova, Councilor Franklin Esmena Jr. and Councilor Manuel Arbon, says plastic bags may be used as primary packaging material for food, but shall not be sold by vendors or business establishments as secondary packaging material.
The Ordinance also prohibits the use of styrofoam containers either as primary or secondary packaging material.
The City’s garbage trucks will also stop collecting plastic bags and styrofoam containers. Under the Ordinance, these materials must be cleaned and dried prior to submission to the barangay centers for proper disposal.
The Council passed the Ordinance after noting the environmental hazards posed by plastic bags, which clog canals, creeks, rivers and other waterways.
It also said that the problem of clogged waterways continues despite serious efforts of the City to segregate compostable, recyclable and reusable waste materials.
The City, the Council said, is encouraging the elimination of plastic bags as packaging materials and is promoting the utilization of alternative materials as woven bags, cloth bags, banana leaves and other recyclable materials.
The Council said it is also promoting the “Bring Your Own Bag” Program and that the City shall support local manufacturers of alternative packaging materials and shopping bags.
The Ordinance provides for a fine of P500 for the first offense, P1000 for the second offense and P5000 for the third offense and/or imprisonment of not more than six months and the cancellation of their business permit for one year.
The Ordinance will take effect in February 2012.
