IRR on ‘No to Single-Use Plastics’ ordinance waiting for approval

THE ‘No to Single-Use Plastisc’ Ordinance may be widely implemented soon after approval of the final implementing rules and regulations (IRR), according to the Davao City Environment Office (Cenro) on Monday, June 4.

Engr. Lakandiwag Orcullo, Acting Division Head of the Environmental Waste Management Division of Cenro, told SunStar Davao in an interview that the IRR of the ordinance has already been submitted to the Office of the City Legal Officer around two to three weeks ago for review.

Orcullo said he expects the City Legal Office will be done reviewing the IRR in around a month, after which, it will be submitted to the office of Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte.

"Once nagawas na to siya sa City Legal, humana sa ilaha, then pirmahan ni mayor, ma-implement na siya (Once it will be released by the City Legal when they are done reviewing, the mayor will sign it for approval then it will be implemented)," he said in an interview.

Ordinance No. 0500-21 or the No to Single-Use Plastics was approved in 2021 by former mayor and Vice President Sara Duterte. It states that establishments need to apply and pay a fee of P10,000 annually for a Special Permit to legally sell, distribute, and use single-use plastics.

“Ang city mayor ang mag-issue sa Special Permit, nakabutang didto na ang Business Bureau ang mag issue sa Special Permit on behalf ni mayor (The city mayor will issue the Special Permit, and it will be done by the Business Bureau on behalf of the city mayor),” Orcullo said.

Thirteen identified single-use plastic items are covered by the ordinance, including plastic cups, sachets, plates, utensils, straws, “clamshell” food containers, coffee stirrers, and all non-microwavable plastics, along with plastic materials such as gloves, balloons, and balloon sticks. ICM