The Bacolod Anti Baha Alliance yesterday appealed to the public to refuse plastic bags, and styrofoam as food containers.
“We are appealing to everyone not to wait for the enlightenment of seven councilors to pass the plastic ordinance but to just do it,” they said in a press statement issued the DAILY STAR. They said plastic and styro are very bad for the health, especially when subjected to heat. “These materials are major causes of clogs in our drainage that result to floods. The fate of our health and our safety are in our hands, so let us all just refuse the use of plastic bags and styro boxes,” they added. The ordinance prohibiting the use of plastic bags, and styrofoam as containers for food, failed to get the approval of the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod last March 23, 2011 when three councilors abstained while four others voted no. The councilors who voted against the passage of the ordinance that will prohibit the use of plastic bags and styrofoam filed by Councilor Em Legaspi-Ang, said they will support its passage if the proponent amends her ordinance. Those who abstained were Councilors Archie Baribar, Carl Lopez and Dindo Ramos, while those who voted against it were Councilors El Cid Familiaran, Sonya Verdeflor, Catalino Alisbo and Elmer Sy. Lopez said he is in full support of the ordinance but there are certain essential issues that he believes should be included like what immediate substitute can be offered to people especially those who use plastic in their everyday lives. He said “Biodegradable plastics must be allowed for a period of two years until we have cost efficient alternatives available for consumers.” Budget for livelihood projects for the barangays in making alternatives to plastics must also be allocated, he added. Lopez said the ordinance just have a provision allocating a budget for additional manpower to ensure strict implementation, otherwise it will be a toothless ordinance. Familiaran had earlier said that he wants the ordinance to be successful and will support its passage if Ang makes the necessary amendments. He 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, so he believes it will not be successful. Familiaran 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 plastics, but they have apprehensions on some provisions in 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 the ordinance totally bans all plastic bags and polybags but it does not ban plastic cups, except for styro cups. Ang has re-introduced her ordinance with some amendments.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan daily star
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
|