Davao City First Congressional District Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte distributed on Thursday, March 2, reusable bags to attendees and spectators of the MICE Conference (MICECON) at SMX Lanang Premier in Davao City.

MICE (meetings, incentive travel, conventions, and exhibitions) is a Philippine event representing specialized tourism sectors that necessitate higher standards of tourism services and facilities.

The MICECON provides a platform where MICE stakeholders learn from global experts’ new trends, approaches, methods, and insights. It also draws inspiration and energy from its message to reach and fulfill new heights for the Philippine MICE and tourism industry.

As the world starts to open back up to tourism, the attention is on health, safety, and hygiene. Thus, everyone is encouraged to reduce plastic usage to help save marine life and prevent other diseases caused by negligence.

In support of the "no single-use plastics" movement, Rep. Duterte’s team distributed around 2,000 reusable bags to all attendees and spectators of the biggest gathering of the MICE professionals.

The First Congressional District earlier launched a "Save the Earth Movement – No to Plastic Bags" through reusable grocery or shopping bags, aside from effectively disposing of one's waste, to prevent the growing concern about plastic pollution.

Everyone is encouraged to eliminate plastic bags, cups, drinking straws, stirrers, and the like from their households and businesses. Instead, everyone is encouraged to use reusable-produced bags and other reusable-produced materials.

“Single-use plastics like water bottles and grocery bags choke landfill and pose a hazard to wildlife. We want to avoid that from happening continuously, thus using reusable bags. Reusable bags are environmentally friendly,” Rep. Duterte said.

According to reports, the sanitary landfill in Davao City has already reached its maximum capacity as a result of the massive collection of waste. The fast trash generation can be due to the growing population and increased consumption.

Davao City has implemented the "No to Single-Use Plastics Ordinance of 2021" as a step to lessen the production of plastic garbage in Davao City. The ordinance forbids the use of plastics and controls their distribution and sale.