Groups support ban on single-use plastics

CEBU, Philippines — Representatives from different environmental groups have supported the proposal to ban single-use plastics in all public events in Cebu City.

Groups like Ecowaste Coalition, No Burn Pilipinas, and 5 Pieces Daily Habit pushed for the approval of the City Council the proposed ordinance of Councilor Alvin Dizon. 

Aileen Lucero, national coordinator of the Ecowaste Coalition, said that single-use plastics account to 32 percent of the total garbage produced in Cebu City. These include plastic cups, plastic straws, plastic bottles, and plastic wrappers.

Lucero lamented that the city’s ordinances on waste segregation and anti-littering have failed to address the problem. She hopes that the approval of the ban on the use of single-use plastics, the city will be able to bring down the figure of plastic garbage.   

Glenn Ymata of No Burn Pilipinas and local advocates such as the 5 Pieces Daily Habit joined Lucero in pushing for the approval of Dizon’s proposal.

Dizon also urged his colleagues to start the practice within the city council by institutionalizing a plastic-free caucuses and sessions.

He distributed water tumblers to all his colleagues before the start of the session for them to use.

 “Let us all commit to use them,” Dizon told his colleagues.

Dizon also urged Mayor Edgardo Labella to issue an Executive Order prohibiting the use of styrofoam and single-use plastic in all of city hall offices, including events initiated by the office, and for the city government, in partnership with the private sector, to invest in infrastructure and technology to recycle these plastic materials before they reach the oceans.

“We are now on the era of plastic-based diet. We have to act now before it’s too late,” Dizon said.  FPL (FREEMAN)