Naga City sets ‘No Plastic Day’

CEBU, Philippines — The city government of Naga in Cebu will make the “No Plastic Day” or “The Green Days” in the city daily starting January next year.

This requires all the food chains, restaurants, supermarkets, eateries and other similar establishments or businesses operating in the City of Naga to use environmentally-friendly materials and not plastics.

“(They)..shall not later than six months from the effectivity of this ordinance, dispose of all their stocks of food and products packages made from plastics, styrofoams and similar non-biodegradable materials and shall replace them with environmentally-friendly materials such as paper plates, paper bags, paper cups, paper board-food packs and other similar biodegradable materials” read the Ordinance 2020-11 which was approved by the city council last January 8, 2020.

Since July this year, the “No Plastic Day” in Naga City is scheduled every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday or five times a week.

But by the start of January next year, it will be implemented daily.

The policy is part of the “Integrated Solid Waste Management Ordinance of the City of Naga, Cebu.”

Those who violate the ordinance will be meted a fine of at least P500 to P5,000 and community service or an imprisonment of at least one month to six months.

Under the ordinance, residents and establishments in the city are also required to segregate the biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes which have a schedule of collection. — GMR (FREEMAN)