TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) have issued 35 citation tickets since January 2024 to violators of Ordinance No. 03 series of 2021.
This ordinance regulates the use of cellophanes and sando bags as packaging materials, and the use of styrofoam for foods and beverages.
From January to August 2024, there were 134, 082 pieces of sando bags, 985 styro cups; 50 styro plates; 140 styro bowls; and 598 styro lunch boxes confiscated from stores,restaurants and public markets.
During the meeting held on August 28 at Northlane Inn, Assistant City Environment and Natural Resources Officer George Andres Padalla said that CENRO, POSO, PNP will conduct regular monitoring to strictly implement the provisions of the ordinance to achieve a plastic-free Tabuk City.
Padalla has called on owners of stores and vendors at the public markets to stop using cellophanes and sando bags as packaging materials, and restaurant owners to cease from using styrofoam for their food products.
The consuming public is also encouraged to bring eco bags when buying from grocery stores and the public markets to limit the volume of single-use plastics.
Padalla is aware that there are those who refuse to follow, but based on his observation, many business owners have completely stopped using cellophanes recognizing the importance of the ordinance, for the best interest of health, safety and environment.
Based on the report of CENRO, single-use plastic bags is one of the items that is largely collected during garbage collection activity, generated from the households and commercial centers like stores and markets.
According to the ordinance, aside from confiscation of items, violators are charged P500.00 (first offense); P1,000.00 (second offense); and P3,000.00 (third offense).
The CENRO has high hopes that in the near future, Tabuk City will become plastic-free, with the assistance of partner agencies and the cooperation of the general public. By Darwin S. Serion
