SAN MATEO, Isabela – A women-based group here is leading an effort for the return to biodegradable alternatives, among them the ever-reliable bayong as a market or shopping bag in place of the ubiquitous plastic bags.
Dubbed Walang Plastikan, this southwestern town’s chapter of the Isabela Green Ladies Organization is now spearheading a “No to Plastic” campaign in a determined effort to get rid of plastic bags and other related environmentally-destructive items.
According to Dr. Crispina Agcaoili, IGLO president, the move for this rice and corn-producing municipality to return to the use of bayong and other bags made of indigenous materials instead of depending on plastic sand bags is part of a concerted effort to lessen, if not to eradicate the use of non-biodegradable items here.
“Our campaign is to discourage the indiscriminate use of plastic bags, not only in malls but also in ordinary public markets and sari-sari stores,” said Agcaoili, wife of Mayor Roberto Agcaoili.
This recently-launched campaign has now been complemented with a town ordinance seeking to discourage the use of plastic bags in public markets as well as other establishments.
The return to the use of the bayong or woven rattan or bamboo baskets or bags, which rural folk had been commonly using before, would greatly complement the town’s environmental protection efforts by lessening the amount of garbage being disposed.
“By promoting the use of bayong, we will not only help lessen the expense on plastic bags which cost from P1 to P10, this will also result in less eyesores in the town,” said Agcaoili.
Coupled with a strict garbage disposal system, he said, the ban on the use of plastics would also reduce the town’s waste disposal problem.
Besides plastic bags, Mrs. Agcaoili said the campaign also aims to discourage the use of cellophane bags, styropores and plastic straws, which are hazardous to one’s health since a chemical reaction may happen when they are mixed with foodstuffs items and soft drink products.