Butuan City to regulate use of plastics, plastic by-products
By AJ Siytangco
Published Feb 6, 2018 11:47 am
By Mike Crismundo
BUTUAN CITY - To contribute in the reduction of solid wastes while also protect the health of Butuanons, Mayor Ronnie Vicente C. Lagnada has approved on Tuesday an ordinance that will regulate the use of plastics and plastic by-products in this region’s fast-rising premier and capital city of Butuan.
Credit: Flickr / MANILA BULLETIN
“This measure is for the good of everybody,” the city chief executive said.
The Plastic Regulation Ordinance will prohibit business establishments in utilizing plastic bags as packaging material.
Lagnada tasked City Councilor Cromwell P. Nortega, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) committee on environment to help disseminate the new measure so that it would be properly implemented with the help of barangay officials, the city environment and natural resources office and other concern law enforcement agencies.
Under the SP Ordinance 5334-2017, which repealed the previous SP Ordinance 5064-2016, the following are the prohibited acts: use of plastic as packaging material and as container for dry goods; use of plastic pouches (commonly used for ice-making) and drinking straws for beverages, such as soft drinks, “palamig,” juice, “gulaman”, etc.; use of nonbiodegradable plastic bags as garbage bags; and use of plastic as flaglets and “banderitas” on all occasions.
Penalties, ranging from P500 to P5,000.00, would be prescribed for individuals and business establishments who violate the ordinance.
However, there would be a gradual phase-out on the use of plastics and plastic by-products for a period of three to six months after the effectivity of the ordinance.
A one year gradual implementation will also be implemented, it said.
The use of eco-bags and other environment-friendly practices is also mandated under said measure.
"The banning of the use and distribution of plastics bags and styrofoam will greatly contribute to the reduction of solid wastes generated by local communities that end up in canals, waterways, rivers, creeks, and streams and eventually in the Butuan bay," Mayor Lagnada added.
Credit: Flickr / MANILA BULLETIN
“This measure is for the good of everybody,” the city chief executive said.
The Plastic Regulation Ordinance will prohibit business establishments in utilizing plastic bags as packaging material.
Lagnada tasked City Councilor Cromwell P. Nortega, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) committee on environment to help disseminate the new measure so that it would be properly implemented with the help of barangay officials, the city environment and natural resources office and other concern law enforcement agencies.
Under the SP Ordinance 5334-2017, which repealed the previous SP Ordinance 5064-2016, the following are the prohibited acts: use of plastic as packaging material and as container for dry goods; use of plastic pouches (commonly used for ice-making) and drinking straws for beverages, such as soft drinks, “palamig,” juice, “gulaman”, etc.; use of nonbiodegradable plastic bags as garbage bags; and use of plastic as flaglets and “banderitas” on all occasions.
Penalties, ranging from P500 to P5,000.00, would be prescribed for individuals and business establishments who violate the ordinance.
However, there would be a gradual phase-out on the use of plastics and plastic by-products for a period of three to six months after the effectivity of the ordinance.
A one year gradual implementation will also be implemented, it said.
The use of eco-bags and other environment-friendly practices is also mandated under said measure.
"The banning of the use and distribution of plastics bags and styrofoam will greatly contribute to the reduction of solid wastes generated by local communities that end up in canals, waterways, rivers, creeks, and streams and eventually in the Butuan bay," Mayor Lagnada added.