TACLOBAN: The city government here has started banning the use of plastic and styrofoam for packaging in business establishments. The local government said on Friday that City Ordinance No. 2023-15-06, signed by Mayor Alfred Romualdez on April 27, 2023, takes effect on January 1, 2024. The ban was enforced only now eight months after its passage to give business owners time to dispose of their remaining inventory of single-use plastic and styrofoam and for consumers to adjust and conform. The ordinance, authored by Councilor Aimee Grafil, bans the use of plastic bags and styrofoam as secondary packaging materials in business establishments such as grocery stores, fast food outlets, market vendors, food kiosks, small community stores, and ambulant vendors. Major establishments in the city have started using paper bags and empty boxes instead of plastic bags. 'Customers have the option to buy reusable bags or bring their bags to save money and contribute to environmental protection,' the city government st ated. Establishments that violate the ordinance will be fined PHP2,000 for the first offense; PHP5,000 for the second offense with the suspension to operate for six months; and PHP5,000 for the third offense with the cancellation of license to operate for one year. For individual violators, penalties are PHP1,000 for the first offense, PHP3,000 for the second offense, and PHP5,000 for the third offense, and imprisonment of not more than six months, subject to the discretion of the court. Last year, the city environment and natural resources office rolled out a massive information drive for business establishments to understand the importance of plastic regulation and waste segregation policies. Source: Philippines News Agency