The local government is intensifying the dissemination of information of its plastic holiday initiative which seeks to curb the use of plastics during weekends in the city.

Thru the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources, the local government is currently facilitating information dissemination, caravans, and face-to-face meetings with various stakeholders, including the barangays, malls and stores, and stallholders in public markets and the bagsakan, on Executive Order 453-2019.

Last February, Mayor Beng Climaco signed Executive Order 453-2019 which bans the use of plastic sando bags in all types of business establishments in the commercial, market and residential areas as well as ambulant vendors during Saturdays and Sundays.

Rodrigo Pagotaisidro, OCENR Public Service Officer, said the office will continue the information drives on the no plastic initiative to increase awareness and encourage participation and cooperation from residents.

In lieu of non-biodegradable plastics, the public is enjoined to use bayongs and eco-bags to minimize waste.

The next information caravan will be held on March 22 for the stallholders, fish vendors, and all organizations in the main public market. Schools and barangays will also be part of the information drive initiative.

Executive Order 453-2019 complements the city’s Solid Waste Management Ordinance and is an initial priority executive action on waste reduction for non-biodegradable materials towards the enactment of an ordinance.

Pagotaisidro said the implementation of the Executive Order is a prelude to the enactment of a plastic regulation ordinance, and is a way to help the public be familiar with it.

At the enactment of the ordinance, there will be penalty clauses for those who fail to implement or follow the ordinance, Pagotaisidro added. (Jasmine Mohammadsali)