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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