THE Dagupan City government is considering to set one day of the week as “no plastic, no styrofoam” day as part of efforts to help save the environment, if a total ban is not possible.

Councilor Jesus Canto, author of a proposed ordinance seeking to ban the use of plastic and Styrofoam as packaging materials and kitchen utensils, said a partial ban could be a first step or a temporary alternative to a more comprehensive prohibition.

Canto initially proposed that the sale and use of plastic and Styrofoam products, whether as packaging materials or kitchen utensils, be banned in the city totally.

The proposed ordinance is now being discussed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s committees on health, environment, and laws and ordinances.

A series of public hearings is being scheduled to determine the preference of the residents.

Canto said the city of Manila has already declared Wednesday as “no plastic, no styrofoam” day.

SCHOOLS

City Schools Superintendent Alma Ruby Torio hailed the proposed measure, saying the school population fully supports the ban of plastics and Styrofoam.

This was supported by her assistants, Dr. Merlita Pasiliao and Dr. Nora Benavidez, who said schools are already actively campaigning against wastes and have integrated it into their programs.

Meanwhile, Councilor Alvin Coquia, head of the committee on environment, said people should start using paper bags or bayongs (native bags) when they go to the market and shopping malls.

Eva Visperas, correspondent of the Philippine Star, pointed out that the CSI supermarkets give shoppers the choice to avail of plastic bags or recycled carton boxes for their purchases.

In the proposed ordinance, business establishments will be required to compel buyers to bring their own bags or packaging material when shopping, or be charged the cost for the plastic or Styrofoam packaging provided by the shop.

In the proposed one-day ban, with Friday as the proposed day, no plastic or Styrofoam will be used by any establishment, including fastfood and other dining places, markets, dry goods shops, processing plants, factories, schools, and hospitals.—LM

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