Ordinance prohibits sale of baby wipes, baby products with harmful ingredients; amendments eyed to ordinance
An intensive information dissemination, inspection and monitoring is needed for business establishments and the barangays in the city as per Ordinance 8, series of 2020; which prohibits the sale of baby wipes and baby products with harmful ingredients.
In a Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) status report dated Dec. 2022 on the legislative monitoring and evaluation of the ordinance, it was shown that it “was not strictly implemented and complied with” thus the need for more action and recommended amendments to the existing edict.
Said ordinance specifically notes that baby wipes and other baby products containing Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC), methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) methylsothiazolinone (MIT) and parabens, should not be on the market. Said chemicals are suggested to affect birth outcomes, cause skin sensitivities and allergies, hormonal disturbance, harm fertility and reproductive organs, and may increase the risk of cancer.
In coordination with Punong barangays, Peace and Order and Safety Division (POSD) Officer-In-Charge Daryll Kim Longid, and establishment and stall owners at the Baguio city market, BCPO, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regional Supervisor Saturnina Pandosen; recommendations were considered.
Included in the recommendations is the creation of a task force composed of offices from the local government, City Mayor’s Office (CMO) as chair, City Health Services officer as vice chair and members from the Health Education and Promotions Office (HEPO), Public Information Office (PIO), City Legal Office (CLO), Permits and Licensing Division (PLD), City Treasurer (CTO), City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), Public Order and Safety Division (POSD), City Administrator, Market Superintendent, Philippine National Police – Baguio City Police Office (PNP -| BCPO) and other members identified by the Chair or vice-chair, to implement their duties as to the provisions of the ordinance
The use of citation tickets for violators or owners of establishments selling the aforementioned prohibited baby products was also noted.
Provisions for the inspection, re-inspection of establishments, orientation seminars and trainings for enforcers of the ordinance is in the status report.
CEPMO head Atty. Rhenan Diwas also submitted proposed amendments and additional provisions as to proper disposal of wet wipes with harmful ingredients, needed certification of acceptable non-harmful wet wipes, procedures on the issuance of citation tickets, and funding requirements for activities.
A public consultation should be conducted with all stakeholders concerned for inputs, suggestions and recommendation to be considered, for the possible amendment of the ordinance, the report also stated. – JGFianza
