BACOLOD City Administrator John Orola ordered the city's enforcement team to strictly enforce an ordinance regulating the sale, provision, and use of plastic bags as packing material in all public markets in the city.
Orola said on Thursday, August 23, all vendors should be aware of the plastic bag regulation ordinance and they should avoid using it.
"The plastic ordinance should be properly implemented not only in public markets but also in all business establishments in Bacolod," he said.
Orola noted that during his meeting with the Bacolod Anti-Baha Alliance and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), it was determined that plastic bags contribute to the clogging of the city's drainage system.
Orola said the enforcement team should monitor and fine the violators.
He said the ordinance was approved in 2011 and it has been observed that all the vendors and business establishments are not complying with it.
He added that he will hold a meeting with the 61 barangay captains to enforce the plastic ordinance within their respective barangays.
Councilors Em Ang and Cindy Rojas had earlier pushed for the amendment of the plastic bag regulation ordinance.
The proposed amendment includes the imposition of the environmental fee on all plastics that are dispensed in the markets or business establishments. (MAP)