BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan (Eagle News) — The local authorities of Malay opted to implement an ordinance passed five years ago prohibiting the use of plastic bags on dry goods, regulating its use on wet goods, and banning the use of styrofoam in the municipality.
Malay Municipal Administrator Ed Sancho said the implementation of Municipal Ordinance No. 320 series of 2012 would be gradual. This ordinance was passed on October 2, 2012.
Officials will start to inform and educate the public and the business sector about the ordinance.
The ordinance was authored by former vice mayor Wilbec Gileto, and former Sanggunian members Rowen Aguirre and Dante Pagsuguiron.
The ordinance prohibits business establishments and individuals from using and selling plastic bags and providing plastics as primary packaging materials on dry goods while those dealing with wet goods are also prohibited from using and selling plastic bags as secondary packaging material.
Establishments and individuals are also prohibited from selling and providing styrofoam and other similar materials as containers for food, produce and other products.
Violators will be fined 1,000 pesos for the first offense, 1,500 for the second offense, and 2,500 pesos plus imprisonment of not less than one month but not more than six months or both for the third offense. Violating business establishment will meanwhile face cancellation of their permit to operate for a period of one year.
Municipal Council (Sangguniang Bayan) Member Nenette Graf who heads the committee on environment said it was about time the ordinance was implemented especially in Boracay, which is known for its tourism industry.