The Dumaguete city government is asking the public to support the campaign to regulate the use of plastics not only in government establishments but in all private businesses and institutions.
The appeal was made after the City announced that the ban on the use of plastics as packaging materials at the Public Market was expanded from one day a week to seven days a week beginning June 1st.
City Economic Enterprises Officer Engr. Jose Ronnie Fortin said that “No plastic Everyday” policy is in support to the city’s campaign to reduce plastic use and better manage the garbage collection and disposal.
This is also in compliance with the efforts of Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo to implement the anti-plastic ordinance as one of the best means to manage the city solid wastes.
After the public market, the policy will expand to include the fish terminal and cold storage, slaughterhouse and passenger terminal.
Private establishments, residences and other institutions are enjoined to adopt the same policy so that the regulation of plastics use in the entire city can be adopted and enforced in the entire city.
Under Ordinance No. 231 in 2011, the use of plastic bags was prohibited, which resulted in the reduction of garbage generated not only in the public market but even among households.
However, the implementation of the ordinance was discontinued several years ago after the enforcers were pulled out.
Per Fortin’s advise marketgoers may use recyclable plastic bags, baloyot/bayong, net bags, catcha bags or sako bags for their goods. Plastic bag will only be allowed as primary packaging materials.
Other prohibited acts are: offer to sell or provide for free plastic bags to customers as secondary packaging materials for wet goods; offer to sell or provide free plastic bags to customers as packaging material on dry goods; offer to sell or provide polystyrene (styrofoams) to customers as packaging material and disposal of plastic shopping bags.
Violators will be fined P500 for 1st violation, P1,000 for 2nd violation, and P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 6 months upon the discretion of the court and cancellation of their license/permit to operate for a period of one year. (City PIO)
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