BACOLOD City – The local government here may soon ban the distribution and use of plastic straws and disposable stirrers, following the passage of the proposed ordinance prohibiting single-use plastics.
Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., author of the ordinance said that the city council approved his proposed ordinance on the third and final reading last week.
He said plastic materials contain elements that cannot easily be decomposed causing severe environmental pollution.
Gamboa further said there are plenty of available environmentally-friendly materials that can be used as alternative to plastic straws and stirrers – such as those made of paper, plant, vegetable and other natural products that are biodegradable, compostable, recyclable and not toxic or hazardous to the environment;
“The continuous use of plastic straws to [consume] any kind of soda, when irresponsibly disposed, pose several hazards especially to the environment,” he added.
The proposed ordinance shall be enforced and implemented by the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), duly authorized by the Barangay concerned and of the city.
Subject to existing laws, rules and regulations, any plastics straws and stirrers found in violation of this ordinance shall be confiscated and be disposed of in accordance to Republic Act 9003, or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001” – part of which the proposed ordinance cited.
It added that the selling, delivering and distribution for any purpose of plastic straws and stirrers, whether or not to be used for any kind of beverage, are also prohibited.
Preparing or packaging of plastic straws and stirrers whether or not for distribution outside the city is also prohibited.
The ordinance fully prohibits the use of plastic straws and stirrers, except for medical or emergency purposes.
Earlier, the barangay council of Sum-ag, led by their Barangay Captain Rodney Carmona. had approved a resolution banning the use of plastic straws during their annual Martesan Festival on Nov.13, and vowed to extend this to post-festival activities.
The barangay resolution was filed by Sum-ag Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman Jason Villarosa who saw the alarming trash build-up of plastic straws and other plastic materials scattered in all parts of the barangay./PN
