By Dave Albarado
TAGBILARAN CITY - The city government is trying to reduce the use of plastics by banning plastic flaglets traditionally used in fiestas.
(FLICKR / MANILA BULLETIN)
The ban will be enforced during Saulog Tagbilaran, the series of activities leading up to the city fiesta on May 1.
Mayor John Geesnell Yap said on Tuesday his administration will ban plastic flaglets to help save the environment.
Yap acknowledged that flaglets have long been part of celebrations in the Philippines and that it will be hard to let go of tradition.
He also said using tarpaulin for posters will be regulated as the city finds a cost-effective way to eventually replace tarpaulin.
He said the use of LED boards will be used to reduce reliance on the use of tarpaulin.
It has been almost a year since Tagbilaran reduced the use of single-use plastics in groceries and malls. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own baskets or reusable bags.
An ordinance also prohibits the use of styropor as food containers and encourages the use of paper-based containers.