Two fast food chains warned on plastic ban

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government will not hesitate to revoke the permit of establishments that will violate the city's ban on plastic bags no matter how big the business is. 

Aracelli Barlam, head of Mandaue's City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), said they have given notices to two popular fast food chains for violating the ordinance.

Atty. Elaine Bathan, chief of staff of Mayor Luigi Quisumbing, said one of the two is located at a mall while the other one is located in Barangay Labogon. She said she personally saw plastics being used at the two stores.

City Ordinance 12-2010-562 or the Plastic Bag Prohibition Ordinance of 2010 prohibits the use and distribution of disposable plastic bags and polystyrene containers such as styrofoam in any establishment in the city, including carenderias and sari-sari stores.

So far, 32 business establishments have been found violating the ordinance, most of which are markets.

CENRO employed 15 eco-wardens to enforce the ordinance.

Quisumbing who was criticized for the move said he is determined to enforce the ban.

The mayor said cutting down on the use of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials is vital in preventing the clogging of waterways, which has been widely blamed for flooding in various parts of the city. 

The mayor said most of those collected during cleanups of waterways are waste that is made of plastic.  Quisumbing's response to critics: "Don't use plastic bags in Mandaue City."

Quisumbing said the ordinance was approved during the administration of then mayor Jonas Cortes in 2010.

The ordinance says that only the use of "paper bags, cloth, recyclable paper and/or reusable checkout bags" is allowed in the city. (FREEMAN)