DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental — Advocacy groups for the protection of the environment have called on the province to strictly enforce a local ordinance that banned the use of plastic bags and other plastic materials.
Merci Ferrer, co-founder of the War on Waste/Break Free From Plastic-Negros Oriental (WOW-Negros Oriental), said environmental groups under the umbrella movement will be presenting Monday afternoon to City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo a petition calling for the full enforcement of the plastic bag ordinance.
Ferrer said the petition has already obtained more than 5,000 signatures.
She expressed hope that Remollo would seriously address the issue, noting that many stores in the city are now back to using plastic bags instead of paper bags.
This, as some business entities had introduced the so-called biodegradable plastic bag.
Ferrer said the advocacy groups are also finding ways to regulate the sale or use of products packaged in plastic. (PNA)
