Subic mulls banning plastic bags

SUBIC BAY Freeport: Officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is proposing to prohibit retail establishments inside this Freeport the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam’s as packing materials.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the proposal is in line with the agency’s desire to reduce plastic bags in an effort to protect public health and welfare as well as local environment and wildlife.

Garcia said that the SBMA Solid Waste Management Division collects almost 35 tons of garbage every day and 15% of these are plastic and Styrofoam.

“Those not collected end up in clogging canals, creeks, rivers and other waterways. These are hazardous to marine animals and birds,” Garcia said.

Garcia noted that the agency is mandated to conserve and protect the environment of the Subic Freeport, as well as its surrounding communities. He also pointed out that Subic is among the

few remaining areas in the country where rainforests can be found.

In response, restaurant, canteen and food kiosk operators who recently attended a consultation-forum organized by the SBMA Ecology Center signified full support of the new policy, but expressed concern over the availability of alternative packaging materials they may use.

During the consultation with retailers, SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya Koval said that the proposed policy is expected to take effect in June 2012, but for the purpose of moratorium, all business establishments and individual retailers are given six months, or until December this year, to comply with the new regulation.