IN ORDER to discourage Cordova town residents from using plastic, municipal officials are willing to exchange their plastic waste for rice.
This was what the municipal government of Cordova, Mactan Island did as part of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of its newly approved Municipal Ordinance 2022-82, which mandates a temporary ban on plastics every Wednesday and Saturday.
The municipal government plans to give a kilo of rice for every 100 grams of plastics it receives from residents.
The exchange will be conducted at the town’s central storage facility in Barangay Poblacion.
A staff member is assigned to the Solid Waste Management Unit to evaluate the plastic wastes before issuing a coupon that can be redeemed at the office of Mayor Cesar Suan.
According to the ordinance’s IRR, the town has prohibited the use of plastics and even styrofoam containers in small and large-scale establishments every Wednesday and Saturday. However, pre-packaged items such as soy sauce, vinegar, iced water and other plastic bottles containing beverages and soft drink caps are exempted from the ordinance.
Residents are also required to use reusable net bags, baskets, paper bags or carton boxes when they go shopping.
Violators of the ordinance could face fines ranging from P500 to P2,000. Establishments that violate the ordinance could have their business permits revoked. (ANV / TPT)