Bacolod councilor: Stop throwing plastics in coastlines

BACOLOD City Councilor Bartolome Orola urged residents of coastal barangays to stop throwing plastics on the coastline for marine conservation.

Orola said several residents of Barangay Punta Taytay sought assistance after they found some fishermen, who are not residents of their barangay, were throwing plastics and garbages on the seashore.

He said the lack of awareness about solid waste management and its effect on the local waterways and the seawater is ultimately crippling City Ordinance 562, an ordinance regulating the use, sale and provision of plastic bags as packaging materials.

Orola noted that Bacolod was named and recognized as the “top model city” in the country, and commonly known for its beaches.

“The city has the duty to make sure that coastal waters are clean and free from rubbish, plastics and debris,” he added.

Orola said the community-based approach to address solid waste management to improve river water and habitat sustainability is very practical and effective to change the attitude of the residents in all coastal areas.

“We need to initiate action, repair existing degradation, and be leaders in sustaining the local ecosystem for future generation,” he added.