REGULATION OF PLASTIC, STYROFOAM USE AT QC HALL PROPOSED

To set an example, the Quezon City Government should start in its own backyard the regulation and reduction of plastic and styrofoam use.

In a proposed ordinance, Councilors Gian Carlo Sotto and Jesus Manuel Suntay said the QC Government should regulate and reduce the use of plastic and styrofoam within the city hall, Novaliches District Center , Quezon City General Hospital and Novaliches District Hospital for efficient garbage disposal and to risk the health and well being.

Sotto said that the QC hall Complex dispose large amounts of plastic and styrofoam wastes, which are non-biodegradable, during its programs, meetings and activities.

The councilor also said that employees and visitors of the city hall complex, Novaliches District Center and District Hospital and QC General Hospital should serve as models of resourceful waste management and ecological awareness.

Under the proposal, all departments and offices within the city hall complex and the three other offices and hospitals are directed to implement waste segregation in their respective premises.

Employees and personnel are prohibited from disposing of plastic waste inside the premises; serving food and beverages in plastic or styrofoam packages during meetings, gatherings and other activities; and using non-reusable bags and packaging for meals, food, beverages and goods they purchase within the premises.

For concessionaries and ambulant vendors in these government offices and hospitals, they are prohibited from using plastic bags as packaging materials on dry goods. However, plastic bags can be used as packaging materials for goods.

Not allowed also are the use of styrofoam as packaging container for food produce and other products, and offering or selling plastic bags to be used as primary or secondary packaging materials for dry goods.

Concessionaries and ambulant vendors who violate this ordinance will face fines and penalties of P500 for the first offense; P1,000 for the second offense and P2,000 and cancellation of business or operating permit.

For the government employees and personnel, a warning from the personnel’s office will be given on the first offense; warning from the bureau and employees head of his office for the second offense, and P2,000 fine and reprimand from the bureau will be imposed for third offense

While visitors of these government offices will be warned for the first offense; a fine of P500 for the second, and P1,000 for the third offense.

If approved, there shall be a grace period of two months from the approval to conduct information and education campaigns, and allow the concessionaries, vendors, employees, personnel and visitors of the QC hall complex and Novaliches District Center to adjust to this ordinance. Divine/ Maureen Quiñones, PAISO