In pushing for a total plastic ban in Cebu City, Mayor Tomas Osmeña is looking to Mandaue City’s enforcement of its own plastics ban as both reference and benchmark.
In last Wednesday’s press conference, Osmeña said he was positive that a total plastic ban would be an effective measure to reduce the volume of plastics that clog the city’s sewers.
The mayor said his administration won’t experiment with new ordinances but copy those measures that were effectively enforced like in Mandaue City.
For now, plastic bags will be prohibited, Osmeña said.
He said he has no plans to include bottled mineral water or juice in the ban for now.
City Ordinance 2343 prohibits the use and sale of plastics in malls in Cebu City every Saturday. It was expanded to include Wednesdays.
Amendments to the ordinance would consist of P500 fines for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense and P1,500 for the third offense or imprisonment of five days or both for violators.
Business establishments caught violating the ordinance will be fined P1,500 for the first offense, P2,00 for the second offense and P5,00 for the third offense or the cancellation of their business permit issued by City Hall.
The City Council first passed the measure in 2012. Cebu City Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover proposed a draft ordinance amending a total ban of plastic bags in Cebu City.
But the Cebu City Council didn’t approve it since there is no national law that enforces a total ban on plastic use.
Cebu City Councilor Raymond Garcia, who supported the total ban on plastic use, called for more public feedback on the issue. /STC Intern Candy Morr Baraga
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