Environmental problems such as plastic plagues, blocked waterways and infertile soil were associated with single-used plastics. Plastic also contributes to poisoning, health problems in humans, wildlife damage and uses millions of dollars for clean-up cost in coastal areas.
It takes about a thousand years for a single plastic to fully decompose, much longer than a life-span of an average human being, obviously non-biodegradable.
With this, setting an example as a good steward, PLGU-Davao de Oro, through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice-Governor Maria Carmen Zamora passed the Provincial Ordinance No. 61-2020 “AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, EXPANDED POLYSTERENE, STYROFOAM AND OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS IN ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES IN THE PROVINCE OF DAVAO DE ORO AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF”
The province now prohibits the use of plastics including expanded polystyrene, styrofoam products during meetings, hearings, seminars, and other government activities.
Employees will now practice the green alternatives such as BYOB (Bring Your Own Baonan), BYOT (Bring Your Own Tumbler) and BOB (Bring your Own Eco-bag), reducing the generation of plastic waste in government premises.
Violators for this ordinance will be dealt with accordingly. Employees and Food suppliers/Caterers violating the ordinance will undergo a warning and attendance to Green Alternative Orientation Seminar for the 1st Offense. Subsequent offenses for employees is a fine of Php 300.00
Second offense for Food Suppliers/Caterers will be fined amounting to Php 3,000 and Php 5, 000 for the subsequent offense and subject the same to be blacklisted from conducting business in any government office/agency in the province.
Medical equipment used by our hospitals, laboratory and analysis services and front-liners such as gloves, plastic vials, sample bags, intravenous fluids or IV drips, plastic syringes and the like which follow the protocol and standards under the WHO (World Health Organization) and DOH (Department of Health) were given exemption. (Jasteen Abella, ID DAVAO DE ORO)
