TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Starting July 1, 2022, the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam as packaging materials will be banned in the city with the full implementation of City Ordinance No. 3 series of 2021.
It would be recalled that the ordinance was signed into law last June 2021, but a six-month moratorium that began in December 2021 was given to vendors and establishments to use up their remaining supply in preparation for the law’s full implementation.
The moratorium will end on June 30, 2022, after which vendors and establishments will be prohibited to sell and use cellophane and sando bags as secondary packaging materials and Styrofoam as containers for food and beverages.
Violators of the law will face the following fines and penalties: first offense: P 500 fine and confiscation and destruction of prohibited materials, second offense: P 1,000 fine and confiscation and destruction of prohibited materials, third offense: P 3,000 fine, confiscation and destruction of prohibited materials, and revocation of license to operate for business establishments.
Meanwhile, customers are advised to get into the habit of bringing reusable and recyclable alternatives such as cloth bags, net bags, eco bags, sako bags, and containers when shopping.
Implementing agencies led by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) are preparing for the full implementation of the ordinance with the technical working group (TWG) meeting today to finalize its implementing rules and regulations.
CENRO said key stakeholders have also been notified and are all set for July 1. “Naaramid met ti daduma nga cities and municipalities, isu nga maaramid tayo met lang,” George Padalla, CENRO assistant department head, said at today’s TWG meeting.
