The Bacolod councilors who voted against the passage of the proposed ordinance prohibiting the use of plastic bags, and styrofoam as containers for food, said they will support it if Councilor Em Legaspi-Ang amends it.
Among them was Councilor El Cid Familiaran who said yesterday that he will support it if the necessary amendments are made, adding that he was one of those who voted for it when it was unanimously passed by the City Council on second reading. Ang said she will re-introduce the measure on Wednesday but will separate the issue on the use of plastic bags from that of the styrofoam as containers for food. She said she was deeply disturbed and saddened that, after six months of hard work, four councilors voted against the ordinance and three abstained. Ang said the many Bacoleños who have expressed their disgust on facebook deserve the explanation of those who rejected the proposal. She said these proves that many Bacoleños want plastic bags to be “extinct” like the dinosaurs. Those who voted in favor of the ordinance on third and final reading were Ang, Councilors Caesar Distrito, Homer Bais, Al Victor Espino and Mona Dia Jardin. Those who voted against it were Councilors Sonya Verdeflor, Elmer Sy, Catalino Alisbo and Familiaran, while those who abstained were Councilors Archie Baribar, Dindo Ramos and Carlos Jose Lopez. Familiaran said the proposed ordinance does not totally ban the use of plastic bags since it only prohibits businessmen and vendors from using them, while others are not prohibited, it will not be successful. He said it is only in Bacolod where the use of plastic bags will be banned when the law should be applicable to all. Verdeflor said her negative vote does not mean she is not in favor of banning the use of plastic, but they have apprehensions over some provisions of the ordinance, particularly the banning of plastic polybags. She said that according to the Philippine Association of Supermarkets Inc., these plastic polybags have been tested and certified by the Department of Science and Technology to be biodegradable and are safer to use than other hard paper. Verdeflor said SM and Mercury Drug are using them but Ang, who authored the ordinance still opted to have plastic bags totally banned, whether they are biodegradable or non-biodegradable. Verdeflor cited the provision that “those who will misrepresent that their plastic is DOST certified and biodegradable when in truth and in fact it is not, will be penalized.” She said this is part of the proposed national bill of Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that regulates the use of plastics. They suggested to Ang to put the same provision before they pass the ordinance on third and final reading, she added. Verdeflor said Ang decided to totally ban all plastic bags and polybags but not plastic cups, except for styro cups. Ang said in case the Senate Bill of Marcos which allows biodegradable plastic is approved, it will supercede the ordinance. “I am sure the law will have a provision on which government agency will ensure testing facilities to determine if a plastic is biodegradable or not. So in the meantime, that we cannot afford it, we should implement a total ban on plastics,” she said.*CGS CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star
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