Batac
City—The Sangguniang Panlungsod here passed
two ordinances that will help the environment.
In support of Republic Act
9003, the solid waste management law, the council approved ordinances
regulating the sale and use of non-biodegradable plastic bags and styrofoam
food packaging.
Batac councilor Mary Coleen
Columbia Cajigal said the ordinances promote and protect the health, safety and
the general welfare of the public through the reduction of litter and wastes.
Ms. Cajigal, who authored the
said ordinances, added that this measure will regulate the sale and use of
non-biodegradable plastic bags as carry out bags in all commercial establishments
in this.
Another ordinance will also
regulate the use and sale of Styrofoam food packaging in all food
establishments here.
Since Batac is now a center
of education, trade and industry in the province’s second district, Ms. Cajigal
said this creates large volume of food packaging materials from food
establishments catering to the people’s need.
The two ordinances, she
continued, will help reduce harmful wastes that can further harm the
environment.
She said the use of polystyrene
material, or styrofoam and plastic bags, have a component of styrene which is
known to carcinogenic effects to humans.
Studies further showed,
according to the author, that the process of making said styrofoam pollutes the
air that results in the destruction of the environment; and at the same time,
it also takes a long time for the material to decompose.
The ordinances tasked the
Office of Mayor and the Office of the City Treasurer particularly at the
Business and Licensing Division and Market Section as main implementors of the
law.
Violators of said two
ordinances will face fines of P2,000, P3,500, and P5,000 for the first, second
and third offenses, respectively. A third offense may also result in the
cancellation of the establishment’s business permit.
Ms. Cajigal further disclosed
that the city government will create trust fund for the fines and penalties
from those ordinances. The said fund will only be accessible for environment
and solid waste management projects in the city.
Batac Vice mayor and
presiding officer Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta finally confirmed the approval of
said ordinances after thorough deliberations and discussions made as compared
with other localities in Metro Manila and in the province that already these kinds
of ordinances.
However, the vice mayor said they
still need to give business establishments here at least six months to use and
sell their styrofoam and plastic bags. After the six-month grace period, Mr.
Nalupta said the city government will then strictly implement the ordinances.
The said ordinances, however,
still need the approval of both Batac mayor Albert D. Chua and the Sangguniang
Panlalwigan before they become local laws.
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