Albay to impose plastic ban

LEGAZPI CITY ,Philippines  – Albay is set to enforce its anti-plastic ordinance by midyear in a bid to strengthen environment protection and pursue its climate change adaptation program.

In doing so, Albay will be one of the first few provinces to campaign against the use of plastics.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda signed Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ordinance 2011-3 on Feb. 21, 2011, which gave commercial establishments ample time to prepare for its full implementation.

The ordinance prohibits the use of plastic bags, polystyrene and other non-biodegradable synthetic packaging materials for goods sold to consumers in malls, public markets, groceries and commercial establishments. It also aims to seriously do away with industrial pollutants starting this June.

Violators will be fined P1,000 to P5,000 and face the cancellation of their business permits.