By Edwin Iyo
Correspondent
Gingoog City — This city will be implementing an ordinance prohibiting single-use plastics in groceries and stores.
In a public hearing on Wednesday afternoon conducted by the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, committee chair City Councilor Roy Aniscal announced the implementation of Ordinance No. 2016-291.
However, the ordinance have to be implemented after six months to give all grocery stores, and others ample time to prepare, said Aniscal.
Capt. Marilyn Pimentel of the Gingoog Police Office said six months are enough but she urged the committee for a massive information drive to be done regularly before its full implementation
Pimentel said information is important to all the people of Gingoog to know about the ordinance on plastic bags
Councilor Aniscal said City Mayor Erick Cañosa and City Vice Mayor Peter Unabia both expressed their concern about the situation of the environment, as well as the threat of global warming
The tandem leadership of the city wanted the implementation of the ordinance in support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for the full implementation of Ecological Solid Waste Management Act to the localities.
The committee promised they will review the ordinance even, as some businessmen called for amenments, said Aniscal.
Currently, groceries are not allowed to use plastic bags even if it is of the biodegradable kind but they are only allowed biodegradable plastic for liquids.
The ordinance requires only for the use of biodegradable plastic bags on wet goods in public markets, Aniscal said.
The ordinance 2016-291 is ammending Ordinance No 2015-287 or the Prohibition in the use of plastics, so as to exempt the use of biodegradable plastic bags for wet goods.
