Muntinlupa shuts down 2 stores for plastic ban violation

MANILA, Philippines - The Muntinlupa City government yesterday shut down two establishments, including a popular bread store, at the Madrigal Business Park in Ayala Alabang for allegedly violating the city’s ban on the use of plastic bags.

This is the first time that the city government ordered the closure of an establishment violating the ordinance since its implementation last January.

Omar Acosta, city public information chief, said Bread Talk in Alabang Town Center and Master Siomai at the food court of Pure Gold have already committed three violations.

He said the stores’ owners can still appeal the closure but it would be up to Mayor Aldrin San Pedro whether to entertain the appeals. Acosta said what is important is “there must be an undertaking that they will follow the ordinance.”

City Ordinance 10-109 prohibits establishments from selling and using plastic and polystyrene as secondary packaging materials for wet and dry goods.

The ordinance suggests the use of cloth, jute, sack and paper bags as well as bags made of local materials like water lilies as alternatives.

Violators can be fined between P500 and P2,500, face six months’ jail time and have their business permits revoked. Third-time offenders may have their business shut down.