BACOLOD CITY -- The City of Sagay in Negros Occidental province will prohibit the use of single-use plastics in all city-sponsored activities starting September 16.
The directive was stated in a memorandum issued by Mayor Alfredo Marañon III to the department, division and section heads on August 28 and posted by the City Information and Tourism Office (CITO) on its Facebook page on Friday.
This is “in line with our advocacy on the protection and preservation of our environment and in support of Senate Bill 40 titled ‘Single-Use Plastics Regulation and Management Act of 2019’,” the mayor said.
He said the directive enjoins caterers hired for city-sponsored events to observe the prohibition on single-use plastics, which include, but are not limited to, plastic toothpicks and straws; plastic cups and coffee stirrers; bottled water, soda and the like; and plastic/styrofoam food containers/wrappers.
Moreover, Marañon said the city-owned Balay Kauswagan, which serves as a venue for private gatherings, celebrations and assemblies, should endeavor to require the sponsor or caterer to strictly observe these prohibitions.
He also said the Economic Enterprise and Management Office “may issue guidelines as may be necessary, consistent with and in furtherance of this memorandum.”
The mayor added that the Sagay City Employees Cooperative canteen, and employees taking their lunch and snacks in their offices were also enjoined to abide by the memorandum.
Copies of the memorandum will also be furnished to national government agencies with offices in Sagay, Marañon said.
The 2018 third quarter survey of the Social Weather Stations, which indicated rising public awareness about the country’s waste problem, calls for the need for environment-friendly alternatives to disposable plastics.
The 2015 report on plastic pollution that was released by the Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business Environment also showed that the Philippines has become the world’s third largest source of plastic leaking into the ocean and has among the highest trash collection rates in Southeast Asia. (PNA)
