TABUK CITY – The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) led an inspection team today at the city’s three market sites: Bulanao, Bulanao Norte, and Dagupan, to ensure adherence to the ban on the use of cellophane and sando bags as packaging materials, and polystyrene or styrofoam as containers for food and beverages, as established by City Ordinance No. 003, series of 2021.
The monitoring team confiscated plastic bags from various businesses, including sari-sari stores, market sellers, ambulant vendors, food kiosks, and other commercial establishments.
They issued warnings and citations to the violators. As stipulated in the ordinance, fines for violation ranges from PhP500 for the first offense and PhP1,000 for the second offense. For the third offense, violators will face a fine of PhP3,000 and the suspension or termination of their business license. As of press time, no third offenses had been documented.
The monitoring team is composed of personnel from CENRO, PNP, POSO, and CPIO.
Meanwhile, Sallud Lammawin proposed in an interview following the monitoring that shoppers observe the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bags) or Bring Your Own Containers policy when visiting the market. This technique, she explained, not only provides convenience but also helps in environmental conditions conservation by reducing waste brought to the sanitary landfill. By Rio Bassong