2 QC dads eye plastic ban at city hall

MANILA, Philippines - Two Quezon City councilors are proposing a partial ban on the use of plastic bags and polystyrene containers at the city hall and other establishments owned and controlled by the city government.

The partial ban will also cover city government hospitals such as the Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH), Novaliches District Hospital (NDH) and the Novaliches District Center (NDC).

In a proposed ordinance, Councilors Gian Carlo Sotto and Jesus Suntay said the city government should serve as model of resourceful waste management and ecological awareness among local government units in the country by regulating and reducing the use of plastic bags and polystyrene.

The two councilors believe that implementing Section 2 of Republic Act 2003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, will address the effects of climate change; promote public health and well-being by reducing the bulk of non-biodegradable and non-recyclable garbage disposal; and promote healthy and livable urban environments.

They said since the city hall complex disposes of large amounts of plastic and polystyrene waste during its programs, meetings and other activities, the implementation of the ordinance should start in the building and its premises.

Among those to be prohibited from using plastic and polystyrene are employees, concessionaires, ambulant vendors and visitors at the city hall, QCGH, NDH and NDC. However, plastic bags with the required thickness of 15 microns shall be allowed for packaging wet food.

The proposed ordinance seeks to fine vendors, city employees and visitors who would violate the prohibition.