DAVAO City Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta is proposing an ordinance banning the release of balloons to the sky.
She said this is being done to protect the environment. This is also developed after the recent controversies involving balloon releases.
In December 2018, the Davao Bamboo Sanctuary and Ecological Park in Malagos, Davao City drew flak in social media after it announced that it will be releasing balloons into the sky as part of its New Year’s Eve celebration. It eventually announced the cancellation of the balloon release.
As more and more individuals are becoming aware of the risks posed by balloons to the environment, this will be supported and welcomed by environment advocacy groups or environment activists.
However, simply banning the release of the balloons is not enough. Since it is still up for discussion and the guidelines have yet to be crafted, the councilor and committees for environment and public safety might also want to consider the proper disposal of the balloons.
The law may prevent large event organizers from using hundreds of balloons but will it be able to stop those holding smaller events from releasing balloons to the sky, too? How about fiestas, burials, and birthdays? How will this law prevent them from using it?
How will the city monitor the use of balloons by individuals or establishments? Will there be a balloon unit to go around or it will be the concerned citizens who will report it?
Instead of simply banning, the lawmakers in the city might want to include proper waste disposal of the balloons especially those in smaller events. How will the organizers get rid of the balloons in the most environmentally friendly way? Hence, this law could not solely be a law on banning the use of balloons but will also be a law on balloon usage.
The lawmakers should really work closely with environment groups and even scientists to ensure that this will not only be another "law for show" but a law that actually works like the city's Anti-Smoking Ordinance.
This ordinance on the use of balloon holds a lot of promise and can bring a positive impact on the environment. However, the lawmakers have to really be specific on what is written within the law's provisions to ensure that this law is followed and implemented properly.