Mayor Narciso “Narwin” Javelosa has signed City Ordinance No. 2023-015 or the “Single Use Plastic Regulation Ordinance of Sagay City” to minimize the single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene containers at 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, a press release from the Sagay City government said Monday, Dec. 18.
The ordinance will also encourage the utilization of alternative packaging materials such as woven bags, cloth/paper bags, and other similar organic packaging materials in the city, it said.
A technical working group led by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office will also be formed to create the implementing rules and regulations for proper enforcement.
Starting Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024, the city will implement “No Plastic Day” every Tuesday and Friday.
In 2025, No Plastic Day in the city will be implemented every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, and by 2026, the city aims to ban the use of plastic bags, styrofoam, and single-use plastics.*