BACOLOD CITY – The Sagay City government is implementing “No Plastic Day” every Tuesday and Friday from January 1 to December 31 next year.
Mayor Narciso Javelosa recently signed City Ordinance No. 2023-015 or the Single Use Plastic Regulation Ordinance of Sagay that aims to minimize single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene containers in business establishments.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Arthur Christopher Marañon also aims to reduce the use of plastic cutleries, drinking straws, plastic hand gloves, stirrers, and other materials used for serving food and beverages.
This will also encourage the utilization of alternative packaging materials such as woven bags, cloth and paper bags, and other similar organic packaging materials as stated in the ordinance.
A technical working group led by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office will be formed to create the implementing rules and regulations for proper enforcement.
In 2025, No Plastic Day will also be implemented every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.
Through this, the city aims to ban the use of plastic bags, styrofoam, and single-use plastics the following year 2026.
A public hearing was held on October 10 attended by 81 representatives from various stakeholders like restaurant owners, vendors, and barangay representatives.
Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, during the hearing, stressed that the Anti-Plastic Ordinance aligns with the city’s conservation efforts and the welfare of the ocean and communities.
He urged everyone to actively support this ordinance and to do their share in homes, at work, and communities.