Osmeña pushes total plastic ban

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants a total plastic ban to be implemented in the city.

“We should make it everyday,” Osmeña said.

He said that a complete plastic ban will avoid confusion among business establishments. The mayor is positive that the measure will lessen plastic in the drainage that causes floods during heavy rains.

Osmeña’s statement came amid the proposal to amend City Ordinance 2343 that prohibits the use and sale of plastic shopping bags every Wednesdays and Saturdays. Councilor Raymond Garcia is pushing to make it four days in a week--- Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña supports her husband on the complete plastic ban.

“We were thinking, why make it four days, why not make it everyday? We should make it every day. During the public hearing Garcia was concern on the adjustment of the stores, but I think they are willing to adjust…It is confusing, unless you are consistent, kaisa lang mo-adjust,” she said.

In a separate interview, Garcia admitted he wants it also but in order for the business establishments to adjust gradually, he is pushing for four days instead.

“Oh really? That’s very good. I originally wanted it to be everyday but I thought a gradual ban would be better in order for the consumers and stores to be able to adjust thru time. This will only be successful if the mayor would implement it,” he told The FREEMAN.

During the public hearing last Tuesday, Anthony Galon, founder of five pieces daily habit, said that they are in favor of proposed amendment to lessen the use of plastic.

“With these four days adjustment, we think, it is a good solution on the plastic problem that we had. Remember it took 1000 years for the plastic to be decomposed and it causes floods in the city,” he said.

Galon even shared that in 54 places in the country they are implementing the five pieces daily habit in which the participants will pick up at least five pieces of plastic along the streets and throw it in the trash bins.

He said implementing plastic ban in the city for four days would educate the public to bring eco bags while shopping.

“Kahibawo man ta unsa atoa paliton sa merkado, why dili man ta magdala og atoang eco bags. Dili mana inconvenient at least kahibawo ta unsa ato dad-on,” Galon said.

Garcia admitted that he received reports from the public complaining about the use of paper bags. He said that the ban will train the public not to be dependent on plastic.

Councilor Joel Garganera, chairman of the committee on environment, also suggested to implement the ordinance in schools to discourage students from buying goods packed with plastics.

Galon said the good side of implementing plastic ban is that people will be educated on the harmful effects of plastics to the environment. (FREEMAN)