Phasing out of single-use plastic closer to reality with support from NGOs, civil society

Solid waste management remains as an issue in Cebu City with the presence of single-use plastic. | CDN FILE PHOTO

CEBU CITY, Philippines – A network of social development and civil society organizations in Cebu expressed their support on the proposed ordinance to slowly phase out single-use plastic in Cebu City.

Catherine Ruiz, coordinator of Kaabag sa Sugbo, said they support the proposed ordinance of Councilors Eduardo Rama, Jr. and Raymond Garcia to phase-out single use plastic and the proposed ordinance of Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, Jr. to regulate the use of single-use plastic.

These ordinances were presented during the public hearing held on Tuesday, April 30.

Ruiz said these ordinances are long overdue and are consistent with the goals of the city to achieve sustainable development

READ: Total plastic ban in Cebu City still awaits council approval, public hearing on April 30

Ruiz said regulation is the first step to address the plastic problem before a total phase out can be implemented. With this reality, she said the two separate ordinances should be consolidated as one.

Ruiz urged the council to put in place an efficient collection system and implement a stricter garbage segregation implementation on the household level as a starting point for the future implementation of the proposed ordinances.

She also suggested that the implementation of the total phase-out of the single-use plastic be stretched to five years from the original three years in order to give concerned establishments and other members of the business community to find alternatives.

READ: Cebu City Council to mull measure banning single-use plastic in the city

“Is three years a good timeline? Maybe we can stretch it to five years or if this Council would exercise oversight functions, we can review after three years if we can already implement a total ban,” said Ruiz.

Anthony Galon of the 5 Piece Daily Habit movement in Cebu also agreed that it was time for an ordinance to combat the plastic problem of Cebu City.

Galon said the residents of the city must have a change of mindset and lifestyle to regulate and eventually phase out single-use plastic and instead utilize reusable bags and tumblers.

“We should learn to refuse plastic and begin using reusable containers as a norm,” said Galon.

Oceana and the Rotary Club of Cebu also manifested their support saying that plastic destroys the environment and that the city government is capable of creating change in the city through legislation.

“The ordinance must apply to all and not just business establishments but to offices whether public or private and also to consumers who buy single-use plastic. These establishments must also submit a phase-out plan,” said lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines, an ocean conservation and advocacy organization.

Councilor Garcia said they will consider the suggestions of the private organizations in the final draft of the proposed ordinance which he hopes will be passed in this council. / cell