TACLOBAN CITY — Local officials in Eastern Visyas have promoted the campaign on responsible and reduced plastic use to promote green living in the region.
In Tacloban City, Councilor Aimee Grafil said Friday their plan is not only to implement a “No Plastic Day” ordinance but also “a total ban after six months upon the passage of the ordinance.”
“I will file the ordinance this September,” said Grafil, who chairs the committee on environment protection.
Tacloban Vice Mayor Jerry Yaokasin said they looked forward to having a partnership with any group or organization into pro-environment activities such as reduce, reuse, and recycle in the city.
He also cited a store in the city selling shampoos, soy sauce, cooking oil and other liquids, asking the customers to bring their refillable containers.
These pro-environment initiatives could include the “refill revolution” advocated by the Philippine food company Nutri-Asia through their “Bring Your Own Bottle” (BYOB) pop-up stores campaign to reduce plastic consumption and promote environmental sustainability.
The company is encouraging visitors to bring their own clean plastic or glass bottles to the pop-up store to get a refill of condiments, sauces and cooking oils at discounted prices.
Nutri-Asia also partnered with the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for a series of refilling activities across central Luzon, and soon in Visayas and Mindanao.
The customers can bring at least two empty bottles for a refill, while others just drop by their store to donate plastic containers.
In Maasin City, Mayor Nacional Mercado said they already have the “No Plastic Day” ordinance to ensure the conservation and preservation of the environment.
Mercado, however, said the ordinance is due for publication before it will be implemented.
Ormoc City councilor Lalaine Marcos said she has been carrying a recyclable bag every time she goes to the market for about 10 years now.
Ormoc is also one of the cities in the region carrying out a “No Plastic Day” ordinance to reduce the generation of plastic waste materials among its residents and to save the environment.
To prove that Ormoc is serious on its green advocacy, the city is discouraging its residents to use plastic bags every Wednesday and Saturday.
“I noted a lot of people bringing recyclables or limiting their purchases to what a paper bag can carry. There are also recyclables for sale from PHP30 to PHP50, while the big ones are PHP70. When I go for my monthly groceries, I ask it to be boxed,” Marcos told Philippine News Agency (PNA).
“I noted some also have their boxes. For very small purchases like medicines, I ask for paper bags or just stuff it in my bag,” Marcos added.
She also assured that in the establishments where she patronized, the “No Plastic Day” ordinance is being observed.
No data on the volume of plastic wastes in the region are available. (PNA)
