Officials of Barangay Bantay conducted today an information, education, and communication campaign (IEC) on the city ordinance regulating the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam containers.
Members of the barangay council visited business establishments and stores to explain the penalties, do’s and don’ts, and the effectivity of City Ordinance No. 3 series of 2021.
In an interview, Barangay Secretary Clark Jeric Adora noted that store-owners were somewhat divided on the implementation of the measure, which seeks to end the use of plastics and Styrofoam as packaging materials due to its harmful effects on the environment and people’s health.
“Adda ti against ken adda met makin kayat. Kadagidiay makin kayat ket kunada nga ‘usto metlang ta maawan ti silopin ta haan nga agkaiwara ken han tayo nga mabannog nga agdaldalus ti kankanal tayo’,” Adora related.
However, with sustained efforts from implementers to educate and inform stakeholders, it is hoped that more and more stakeholders will embrace the measure.
Adora said barangay officials are set to meet with business and store owners regarding the implementation of the ordinance.
Launched on December 17, 2021, City Ordinance No. 3 series of 2021, provides for a six-month moratorium for establishments, traders, and even households to dispose of any single-use plastics and Styrofoam.
Instead of using plastic bags and Styrofoam, using eco-friendly alternatives such as bayong, cloth bags, or rattan baskets for shopping, and switching to biodegradable packaging materials such as banana leaves or taro leaves are encouraged.