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Plastic bags out: Laoag City’s BAYONG ordinance’s full enforcement begins

By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff Reporter

Laoag City—Starting July 1, 2014, the Laoag City government begins full implantation of the BAYONG (Bring Along Your Own Natural Greenbag) ordinance.

The ordinance regulates the use of plastic bags and other materials made up of plastic as secondary packaging and the totally bans the use of styrofoam packaging.

Laoag councilor Joseph Tamayo, the ordinance’s author, explained that the full implementation of the local law would start a year after the date of approval and review of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and after completion of requirements set by law with a massive Information Education and Communication Campaign (IECC).

Mr. Tamayo, the committee on environment and natural resources’ chairperson, said the ordinance aims to address the negative impact of excessive use and disposal of hazardous waste resulting to environment degradation, flooding, problems on sanitation and worst of all, the climate change.

As a result, Mr. Tamayo said local government units has a sublime responsibility to protect the constituency from harmful and fatal effects as ill results of disregarding the environment and therefore supports this move to save Mother Earth.

Mr. Tamayo expounded that the ordinance prohibits business establishments to sell and/or use plastic bags and styrofoam for packaging purposes. However, wet goods are excluded in this ordinance provided that it is limited.

Environment-friendly “green” bags and paper bags are highly recommended as the alternative solutions for packaging or wrapping dry goods.

The city social welfare and development office was tasked to assist government and non-government agencies in the conduct of skills development programs, trainings and seminars for the production of “Greenbags”.

The city government also allocated funds of more or less P75,000 every year in the annual budget for trainings and seminars.

The Public Information Office (PIO) of the community affairs division will spearhead the information and education campaign with the help of the tri-media, the 80 barangays and posting of the business establishments the campaign materials.

According to Mr. Tamayo, the ordinance will be enforced by all law enforcement instrumentalities that under the scope and authority of the local chief executive such as the police, barangay tanods, and deputized Oplan Dalus Task Force among others.

The city will also give rewards and incentives from the fines collected for every apprehension. The distribution shall be 50% to the city government, 25% to the apprehending organization or person as a “trust fund” and the other 25% to the informer.

Business establishments who violate this ordinance will be penalized as follows: P3,000 fine and a stern warning for the first offense; P4,000 fine and issuance of a closure order for three months for the second offense; and a fine of P5,000 and cancellation of business permit for the third offense.

Individual who violates this ordinance will also be fined P500 for the first offense; P1,000 fine plus stern warning; for the second offense; and P3,000 fine and/or imprisonment of not more than six months or both depending upon the discretion of the courts for the third offense.

The implementation of this ordinance shall be closely monitored by the Oplan Dalus Task Force and the community affairs office. 

The ordinance was approved by the city council on September 12, 2012 presided over by the late Laoag Vice Mayor and presiding officer Edward P. Domingo and was approved by then Laoag Mayor Michael V. Farinas on September 26, 2012.The one year moratorium began right after the approval and final review of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.


Mr. Tamayo said this ordinance will be effective July 1, 2014.

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