By GILBERT BAYORAN
THE use of plastic bags and plastic cellophane as packing or
baggage materials may soon be regulated among all supermarkets, grocery stores
and commercial stalls in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
This was contained in a proposed ordinance authored by
Councilor Greg Gasataya, which was recently approved on its first reading by the
City Council of Bacolod, which also calls for the institutionalizing of the use
of biodegradable containers, instead of plastic bags.
Gasataya cited Section 48 (10-11) of R.A. 9003 that provides
that the manufacture, distribution or use of non-environmentally acceptable
packaging material and the importation of consumer products packed in
non-environmentally acceptable materials, are strictly prohibited.
The waste materials clogging the waterways or thrown on
streets or roads in the city are plastic materials like plastic bags and food
wrappers, were cited as among the factors that caused flooding in some low-lying
areas of Bacolod City during rainy season.
Gasataya said the use and sale of plastic as bagging material
must be regulated, if not entirely prohibited, to protect the environment. A
resort to the use of biodegradable bagging containers such as paper or cloth
bags, woven baskets, carton boxes, among others including reusable bags except
plastic sando bags, must be institutionalized, he added.
The ordinance proposed by Gasataya shall cover all
supermarkets, grocery stores, retail outlets or stores and other commercial
stalls and manufacturers in all areas in Bacolod City.
It also encourages households disposing of waste material
through the city’s garbage collection system shall utilize paper bags, sacks or
other biodegradable containers in packing their waste materials.
Otherwise, the city shall have the right to refuse
collection, Gasataya said.
The ordinance also provides that violators will be meted penalties of P1,000
for the first offense; P2,000 for the second offense; P2,500 and suspension of
Business Permit for three months for the third offense; and cancellation and
non-renewal of business permit for the fourth offense.
