Plastic bags about to disappear in Mandaue

CEBU, Philippines – The use of plastic bags will soon be a thing of the past in Mandaue City.

The city council has approved a proposed ordinance on second reading requiring retail establishments to provide only paper bags or reusable bags and prohibit the distribution of disposable plastic bags.

Councilor Nenita Layese, the chairman of the committee on laws and ordinances, said the ordinancewas introduced by Councilor Demetrio Cortes, Jr., chairman of the committee on environment and natural resources.

The proposed ordinance cited that the production and use of plastic bags and styrofoam have been found to significantly contribute to litter and have other negative impacts on marine wildlife and the environment.

It also said the use of plastic bags and styrofoam, like indiscriminate littering, throwing, dumping of non-biodegrable materials in public places such as roads, side-walks, canals, esteros, parks have largely contributed to the present condition of poor drainage system causing canals to clogged up resulting to flooding.

Under Republic Act No. 9003 otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 states the protection of the public health and environment.

Councilor Layese in her report said that with the law, there is a need for them to utilize environmentally sound methods that maximize the utilization of valuable re-sources and encourage resource conservation and prohibits the manufacturing, distribution or use of non-environmentally acceptable materials.

The volume of non-biodegradable materials at the landfills particularly in the Umapad dumpsite is increasing thus the use of plastic bags, styrofoam or any plastic material is strongly discouraged.

Using paper bags in lieu of plastic bags and styrofoam is a program that reduces waste, thus strengthens the integration of ecological solid waste management and re-sources conservation and recovery.

Once the proposal is approved, violators will be fined not more than P500 or an imprisonment of not more than five days.  (FREEMAN)