By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The local government of Sagay in Negros Occidental will implement “No Plastic Day” every Tuesday and Friday, starting January 1 to December 31, 2024.
This development came after Mayor Narciso Javelosa signed City Ordinance No. 2023-015 or the “Single Use Plastic Regulation Ordinance of Sagay,” on December 12, which aims to minimize the single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene containers at business establishments.
Based on the ordinance authored by Councilor Arthur Christopher Marañon, it also aims to reduce the use of plastic cutleries, drinking straws, plastic hand gloves, stirrers, and other materials used for serving food and beverages.
The ordinance said that it will also encourage the utilization of alternative packaging materials such as woven bags, cloth/paper bags, and other similar organic packaging materials in the city.
In 2025, “No Plastic Day” will also be implemented every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, as the city government targets to ban the use of plastic bags, styrofoam, and single-use plastics, by 2026.
A technical working group led by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) will be formed to create the implementing rules and regulations for proper enforcement.
Last October, the city held its first public hearing on the proposed “Anti-Plastic Ordinance.”
It was attended by 81 representatives from various stakeholders like restaurant owners, vendors, barangay representatives, among others.
Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva urged everyone to actively support this step which aligns with the city’s conservation efforts and the welfare of the ocean and communities.
He also urged them to do their share at homes, in the workplace and in the communities.
