RP's first: Iloilo town bans, criminalizes plastic-use
Plastic cellophanes 'endangered specie' soon? If the Municipal Government of Santa Barbara, Iloilo is to be followed, it will be.
In fact, a warning is now out to all residents and visitors that not only is it illegal here now to litter and scatter plastics and wrappers, the Municipal Government has also outlawed and criminalized its use.
As such, vendors, traders, business establishments and locals themselves are prohibited to use plastic bags. If caught, a hefty fine awaits the violators with no less than Santa Barbara Mayor Isabelo Maquino leading the information campaign. A letter was also individually sent to all residents in the past month with Mayor Maquino explaining the rationale of the ordinance.
The message is clear - it is all about saving the environment and Santa Barbara's aggressive drive to become "eco-friendly."
"Ang Gobyerno Munisipal sang Santa Barbara naga dihon sang isa ka ordinansa nga ipahibalo nila sa ila mga suki o kon manugbakal nga magdala sang ila kaugalingon nga suludlan sa tion nga sila ang magbakal sa tindahan. Tinutuyo naton nga maibanan ang ginagamit nga plastic cellophane kag kung mahimo nga aton untaton ang pag-gamit sini (The Municipal Government of Santa Barbara passed an ordinance requesting the vendors and customers to bring their own bags when going to the market. The purpose is to lessen the use of plastic cellophane and if possible, stop its use)," the Mayor's letter to the vendors as obtained by The News Today (TNT) went.
The prohibition took effect last week and is in full swing this week and the coming weeks. The exception only applies to ice candy, ice water sellers and retailers of salt, sugar, coffee and milk. Other than them the selected few, "tanan nga mga pamalaklon dapat isulod sa libon, katsa, alat kag iban pa nga eco-friendly nga suludlan (all purchased goods must be placed inside native basket, bag made of cloth and other similar eco-friendly bags)."
Maquino went on to further explain and warn the locals that continued burning of cellophane plastic releases harmful chemicals to the environment. Such, the mayor warned, causes various ailments such as cancer, asthma, chronic bronchitis, nervous system damage, developmental problems on children, birth defects and miscarriages, skin rashes, persistent coughs and throat irritations.
Mayor Maquino also shared how Bangladesh implemented a total ban on plastic bags back in 2002 citing environmental threat.
"Nagapatimaan lamang ini nga kung maobra sang iban nga pungsod nga madula ang plastic cellophane sa ila bilog nga nasyon, masarangan ta man diri sa banwa sang Santa Barbara nga dulaon ang plastic cellophane. Kung ini matigayon, kita ang pinakauna nga banwa sa bilog nga Pilipinas ang makadula sang plastic cellophane paagi sa ordinansa (This only shows that if other nations can stop the use of plastic cellophane then we can also do it here in Santa Barbara. If this happens, we will be the first town to do this through an ordinance)," the mayor in his letter of appeal ended.