The town of Mankayan in Benguet has crafted an ordinance which aims to regulate the sale, use, and disposal of plastic bags and styrofoam. The town council came up with the municipal ordinance (No. 2014-03) to address problems arising from the build-up of plastic and styrofoam waste in the town which often clogs waterways and canals.
Mayor Materno Luspian said that an information dissemination campaign will be conducted first before the ordinance takes effect. This is to make sure that residents in the town are aware of the contents of the ordinance.
Under the ordinance, business establishments like groceries, sari-sari stores, fish dealers, meat dealers, and vegetable dealers are required to utilize paper bags or other biodegradable bags for dry goods. Sellers are only allowed to use plastic bags for wet and frozen goods.
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| Photo by Daniel Feliciano / The Cordilleran Sun. |
People not following the rules of the ordinance will be penalized. For the first offense, the violator will be ordered to pay Php500. The amount will double to Php1,000 for the second offense. Breaking the ordinance for the third time will cost the violator Php1,500 and suspension of his or her business permit for a month to a year. Offenders who get caught more than three times might have their business permits cancelled and deemed non-renewable.
[Sources: The Manila Times, Philippine Information Agency]
