Plastic/Styrofoam proposed amendment information blasts
Market vendors, section representatives and the Plastic Carry/Shopping Bags and Styrofoam-Free Baguio Task Force (Plastic and Styrofoam Task Force) met last Friday, Oct. 28 at the public market to discuss salient points in the proposed amendments of the plastic ordinance.
Known as Ordinance 35, series of 2017; Regulating the sale, distribution and use of Plastic Carry/Shopping Bags and Styrofoam in the City of Baguio and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof; it was ordained by the city council on April 24, 2017; approved on May 4, 2017; posted in conspicuous places; and published in a local newspaper on May 14, 2017.
There are however proposed amendments to the ordinance as of Oct. 10, now numbered proposed ordinance PO-0087-22 and referred to the committee on Health, Sanitation, Ecology and Environmental Protection chaired by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda. Thus, comments, recommendations and suggestions from the market sector representatives were noted by the Task Force.
The task force which was reconstituted through Executive Order 156 series of 2020 is composed of the City Environment and Parks Management Officer as chair, and the General Services Officer as vice-chairperson; with members/representatives from the Permits and Licensing Division (PLD), Public Order and Safety Division (POSD), Special Services Division (SSD), Public Information Office (PIO), City Treasurers Office, City Market Division, Wastewater, Water and Ambient Air Mgmt Division, General Services Office (GSO), Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), Department of Education, the Punong Barangay as to territorial jurisdiction. Proposed members shall be added after approval of the amended ordinance.
The market sector representatives were updated with the proposed amendments, which is on first reading.
• The ordinance shall be known as The Plastic Carry/Shopping Bags and Styrofoam Free Baguio Ordinance.
• The ordinance covers all business establishments, government offices and public and private schools.
• Reusable bags shall include cloth, woven (bayong), rattan baskets, recycled waste paper bags, and other biodegradable bags from plant materials. Manufacturers or distributors in the production of reusable bags shall comply with material requirements.
• No business shall provide and sell any plastic bag as secondary packaging materials on wet goods or as primary packaging material of dry goods …for goods or items purchased or for food or drink…
• Reusable bags as carryout bags for secondary packaging may be sold, while restaurants and hotels are prohibited from distributing single use plastic/disposable materials and Styrofoam to customers/clients who are dining in. Over packaging or multiple wraps for goods shall be prohibited to reduce waste generated.
• Businesses shall provide or make available to customers for free or for a cost, paper/reusable bags as carry-out bags. Plastic labo bags may be used as primary containers for wet goods; and could be used for two or more wet goods, if safe and no contamination will occur. Other wet goods not pre-contained are preferably in customer-supplied “reusable” hard plastic containers. Customers can bring and use reusable bags for takeaway goods, except plastic bags prohibited by this ordinance.
• Business people who may provide bags labeled as ‘oxo-biodegradable’ with the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Registration number issued by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), shall secure a clearance from the Plastic Carry/Shopping Bags and Styrofoam Free Baguio Task Force or the Monitoring and Oversight Committee. The task force provides a list of manufacturers with ETV for biodegradable plastics to business establishments through the concerned Punong Barangay for posting, dissemination and inspection as a basis for the renewal of business permits.
The monitoring and oversight committee is composed of the city mayor as chair, Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Health and Sanitation, Ecology and Environmental Protection as vice-chair. The City Environment and Parks Management Office is the action officer with members: President of the Liga ng Mga Barangay, Punong Barangays, City Health Services Officer, Division Head POSD and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO).
• All city government offices and public and private schools shall maintain a “NO PLASTIC BAG NO STYROFOAM,” policy in their offices or school premises including government-sponsored events and functions.
• All Baguio businesses and public and private schools shall post in conspicuous places within their premises a signage: “BAWAL ANG PAGGAMIT NG PLASTIC BAGS AT STYROFOAM,” or words or phrases to that effect.
• The customer shall bring reusable or recyclable bags when buying items from businesses.
• Violators may be meted out penalties and/or community service, closure of business, suspension and/or non-renewal of business permit. A certificate of completion shall be issued after community service, with monitoring by the Anti-plastic/Styrofoam task force.
The proposed exemptions shall be the subject of thorough study and discussions.
The plastic and Styrofoam task force has monitored establishments selling plastics, conducted Information and Education Campaign on plastics and Styrofoam in the barangays and in the market.
According to Michelle Agbuya, Officer-in-Charge of the Special Services Division (SSD), City Mayors Office (SSD-CMO), they have integrated Information and Education Campaign on plastics and Styrofoam during conducted barangay assemblies and distributed printed materials as to the issue. – JGF
