Better management of QC’s ‘green fund’ pushed

MANILA, Philippines — An internal audit team created by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has recommended amendments to the city’s plastic bag reduction ordinance that will enable better management of the so-called “green fund.”

The fund, which currently amounts to P316 million, is collected for every plastic bag used in establishments in the city as mandated by the plastic bag reduction ordinance passed in 2014.

In a report submitted to Belmonte’s office, audit team leader Ranulfo Tacorda noted the Commission on Audit (COA) recommendation to treat the collection as a public fund and ensure that projects implemented using the money is properly audited.

The ordinance allows the stores to maintain the money they collected and use these for initiatives by the environment.

But under the audit team’s proposal in line with COA’s recommendation, retailers will be required to remit collections to the city treasurer’s office as these are already identified as public funds.

A separate environmental trust fund shall also be created to ensure that the remittances will be solely be used for environment projects.

If approved, the city will be in charge of the implementation of such projects.

A statement from the office of the city mayor said Belmonte has certified as urgent the passage of amendments to the plastic reduction ordinance in line with COA recommendations.

A copy of the internal audit observations, which include the proposed amendments, were forwarded to the office of Vice Mayor Gian Sotto and other relevant offices.