THE Sipalay City Government is stepping up its efforts to boost sustainable tourism in the southern Negros Occidental locality known as the “Jewel of the Sugar Isand.”

Vice Mayor Ma. Gina Lizares said they have been working with Sea Waste Education to Eradicate Plastic (Sweep), and started eliminating single use of plastic especially in the city hall.

Lizares said a zero-waste ordinance is also up for approval of the City Council, which will mainly prohibit the use of plastics in the city’s market and other commercial establishments.

Instead, vendors will utilize leaves and other environment-friendly packing materials.

“We have complied the necessary measures like consultations with our partners and constituents,” she said, adding that these initiatives are part of the city’s sustainable tourism development program.

The local government started its sustainable tourism campaign in September last year.

Locals and tourism stakeholders have signed a commitment for a sustainable Sipalay.

Jerick Lacson, city tourism officer, said they organized local groups for tour guiding involving tricycle drivers and fisherfolk for their sunset tour.

Lacson said the local government also conducted forum on waste management in the past two festivals to remind vendors and organizers to reduce wastes.

“For this year's kite festival, we made sure that all entries do not release any pollutants and can’t destroy the environment by not using plastic as built materials,” he added.

On March 25 to 28, the city hosted the 7th Burangoy Tourism Kite Festival.

Fifty-three colorful kites of different sizes and themes, mostly sea creatures, were flown at the Poblacion Beach.

It was witnessed by hundreds of local and foreign tourists.

Other sustainable tourism practices implemented during the festival is the creation of Wind Garden using recycled materials.

Moreover, Lizares said they are also planning to impose environment fee for tourists on certain amount.

A lot of local government units (LGUs), she said, are slowly adopting zero-waste mentality and other environment policies thus, they don't see major resistance especially among tourists.

“Because of the trend and heightened awareness on zero-waste, these policies won't be an eyesore,” Lizares said, adding that it’s also a testament to how much politically mature their government is. (EPN)