QUEZON City mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has certified as
urgent a measure seeking to prohibit the use of non-biodegradable bags in
stores.
Belmonte said the proposed ordinance, authored by Councilor
Dorothy Delarmente, is necessary to avert clogging of waterways that usually
cause flashfloods, even during a slight rainfall.
"We need moves of this nature which will give more meaning to
our goal of making this city a quality community to the fullest," he said.
He also directed the city's Environment Protection and Waste
Management Department (EPWMD) to coordinate with the city council for the
mechanics of the program's implementation, once it is approved.
The Delarmente measure is expected to undergo smooth sailing
at the council following Belmonte's endorsement.
The ordinance cited the need to ban the use of plastic bags
in all business establishments to help the city's periodic clean up drive in
waterways due to the indiscriminate throwing of non-biodegradable materials by
unscrupulous individuals.
At present, Quezon City churns out an estimated three tons of
refuse daily, most of which is non-biodegradable wastes like glass, metal and
plastic bags.
The Delarmente measure imposes the following fines for
violators of the proposed ordinance: P2,000 for the first offense; P3,000 for
the second, and P5,000 and cancellation of the establishment's business permit.
Once approved, the ordinance will take effect 30 days after its publication
and posting in public and conspicuous places all over Quezon City.
