Bakers group seeks partial ban

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — The Bacolod-Negros Occidental Bakers Association (BACNOBA) has asked the City Council to revise the proposed plastics ordinance and provide for a partial ban only, with clear definitions on its application and coverage.

An ordinance prohibiting the use, sale and provision of plastic bags as packaging materials in Bacolod City was re-introduced by Councilor Em Legaspi-Ang, after it failed to pass the third and final reading. Some councilors wanted a separate ordinance for the use of styrofoam.

In its position paper, BACNOBA said it was not opposed to the approval of ordinances that aim to address and solve environmental issues, but it must not be undertaken at the expense of matters that are of equal importance to public interest.

BACNOBA said distinction must also be made between the various kinds of plastic bags being used, as well as the intended use of the plastic bags.

 The ordinance prohibiting the use of plastic bags should apply only to the provision of "carry-out" plastic bags by business establishments at the point of sale, BACNOBA's paper said, adding that the public must be encouraged also to bring their own bags when shopping.

Plastic bags have become such an integral part of food preparation, preservation and packaging that imposing a blanket ban on all use of plastic bags will cripple the food industry which services the mass market, BACNOBA warned.

While the objective of the proposed ordinance is commendable, the group believed that a blanket ban on all use of plastic bags as packaging material by all business establishments, without qualification, would yield negative effects instead.

BACNOBA said substitution of plastic bags with alternative packaging materials suggested in the proposed ordinance such as woven bags, cloth bags, paper bags and other similar materials is not feasible for mass production and packaging of bread and bread products.

Not only are paper bags or boxes costlier, they are also bulkier and heavier and thus cost more to transport, it said, adding that the higher cost of production will eventually lead to higher prices of goods instead.

This blanket prohibition applies only to local establishments, thus all non-Bacolod based bakeries will still be able to supply groceries and supermarkets bread and bread products in plastic packaging at much lower costs than local bakeries, BACNOBA said. (FREEMAN)