BULANAO, Kalinga – In compliance with the full implementation of Ordinance No. 003, Series of 2021, regulating the use of cellophane and sando bags as packaging materials and the utilization of polystyrene, the city government once again conducted monitoring on the implementation of the ordinance on August 6, in Bulanao.
Personnel from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) led the operation together with the City Public Order and Safety Office, City Public Information Office, Tabuk City Police Station, and officials of Barangay Bulanao.
During the operation, the team monitored vendor compliance at the Bulanao Public Market and checked packaging materials used by business owners, such as grocery and food outlets within the barangay.
As a consequence of the operation, authorities confiscated sando bags, Styro cups, and plastic plates used by non-compliant vendors at the Bulanao Public Market and other businesses.
Those who violated the ordinance were given citation tickets. They were given a lecture on both the ordinance and the environmental impacts of plastic use. They were reminded to pay in the City Treasury Office at a specified time frame.
The authorities will continue to check merchants and business establishment owners. If they fail to comply, they will face harsher penalties.
The collected plastic and Styrofoam were destroyed in front of the vendors to ensure that they were not reused. The sando bags and other confiscated stuff will be transported to the sanitary landfill for proper disposal.
Personnel from CENRO and other offices will continue their operations, including their information education and communication campaign on the ordinance and other relevant laws to protect the environment. By Ian Addatu / Edward Joseph Gacuya
