DTI urges Cebu retailers to use "bayongs," not plastic bags

CEBU, Philippines -  The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) is encouraging retailers in Cebu to consider the utilization of “bayong” native bags as alternative, if not primary recycled shopping bags to be given to customers.

DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte spoke during the first 2011 general membership of the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA-Cebu) that as the market has evolved into embracing the green lifestyle, the Philippine retailers should also take advantage of the rich resources of these products, at the same time boosting the farmers and local makers of the traditional “bayong” bags.

DTI-7 introduced the Project Bayong some two years ago, turning the ordinary bayong bag into trendy and posh, durable bags or shopping bags for retail establishments.

According to Caberte because of the ample supply of the raw materials for Bayong bags, retailers can get the bags for as low as P50 per bag, if ordered in bulk.

Bayong bags are made of indigenous materials like bamboo strips, buri, and rattan strips, which grow abundantly in the Philippines.

The Project Bayong is program under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment (Cleep) of the national government. It is implemented only in Central Visayas, Bicol region and the Caraga region which started in 2009, because of the availability of skilled people and raw materials.

Although the PRA has already launched its “Green Bag” initiative, Caberte said retailers can make use of the “Bayong” as their recycled shopping bags to be given to customers.

This way, retailers can also help the farmers and Bayong bag makers all over the region, especially in identified areas such as those that already undergone training purposely for the project.

Besides, Caberte said the Cebu retailers should also embrace the trend of using “Bayong” bags, as it is now gaining popularity in other countries like Europe, with the “Green Fashion” trend.

Under the special “Project Bayong,” DTI has partnered with primary company Gateway East Inc., to help advocate the use of the bayong to contribute to a clean environment and generating livelihood for more Filipinos.

Last year, the PRA-Cebu launched its unified “green bag” design to re-enforce its campaign of using “only” biodegradable shopping bags in all retail outlets.

PRA-Cebu president Melanie Ng said that utilizing the Bayong bag as an alternative recycled shopping bag to be given to customers, is easily possible. In fact, some stores have already utilized the trendy Bayong bags for this purpose.

Meanwhile, Caberte also urged Cebuano retailers to sincerely employ a holistic green operation approach to their operations saying “going for green, it’s not only for compliance. It should be taken as corporate social responsibility [CSR].” (FREEMAN)