P l a s t i c B a g R e g u l a t i o n O r d i n a n c e |1 EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE 15TH REGULAR SESSION OF THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN OF APALIT (2013-2016) HELD AT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION HALL ON OCTOBER 7, 2013 Present: Absent: Hon. Pedro C. Nucom Hon. Augusto D. Manlapaz Hon. Jesus G. Torres, DMD. Hon. Jedalyn L. Dalusung Hon. Elias L. Mendoza, Jr. M.D. Hon. Sanny D. Mendoza Hon. Fortunato D. Castro Hon. Cruzaldo C. Guanzon Hon. Ma. Ana Theresa M. Macalino Hon. Hermogenes G. Bayani, Jr. Hon. Emmanuel O. Sabordo Vice-Mayor/Presiding Officer SB Member SB Member SB Member SB Member SB Member SB Member SB Member SB Member Liga President SKMF President ORDINANCE NO. 1 Series 2013-2016 AN ORDINANCE BANNING THE USE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SINGLE USE, CARRY OUT BAGS AND POLYSTYRENE (STYROFOAMS/STYROPOR) BY COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF APALIT AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREOF (Introduced by: Councilor Sanny D. Mendoza) Whereas, Article II, Section 16 of the Philippine Constitution provides that, “the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and beautiful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature”; Whereas, Section 3 (i) of R.A. 7160 provides that “the Local Government Units shall share with the national government the responsibility in the management and maintenance of ecological balance within their territorial jurisdiction; Whereas, Section 458 (vi) of R.A. 7160 also empowers, “the Sangguniang Bayan to protect the environment and impose appropriate penalties for acts which endanger the environment including such activities which result in pollution, acceleration or eutrophication of rivers and lakes or ecological imbalance; Whereas, majority of commercial establishments, most of which provide and use single use carry out, plastic bags and polystyrene foam products (Styrofoam/Styropor) as packaging materials in the Municipality of Apalit and elsewhere; Whereas, the indiscriminate dumping of plastic bags and packaging materials into the environment and eventual burning of the same in open dumps coupled with an apathetic behaviour of the population are exacerbating air pollution, deteriorating water quality, contributing to the shallowing of bays and rivers, and as such constitute a serious threat to public health and the integrity of the ecosystem; P l a s t i c B a g R e g u l a t i o n O r d i n a n c e |2 Whereas, the banning of the use and distribution of single use carry out, plastic bags and polystyrene foam products will greatly contribute to a reduction in the volume of solid wastes generated by local communities that end up in the canals, waterways, rivers, creeks and stream and eventually in the bay; Whereas, commercial establishments have the capability to educate and encourage their customers to use environmentally-preferable alternative to plastic bags; Now therefore, on motion of Councilor Sanny D. Mendoza, duly approved by general consent, BE IT ORDAINED by the Sangguniang Bayan of Apalit, in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. Title. This Ordinance shall be known as “The Plastic Bag Regulation Ordinance”. SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this Ordinance, the following terms are defined as follows: a. Single Use, Carry Out Plastic Bag or Plastic Bag – means any bag made from plastic excluding reusable bags, provided by a commercial establishment to a customer at the point of sale for the purpose of carrying away goods and intended to be used for one time only b. Reusable Bag – refers to washable canvass bag, “bayong” or any shopping bag not made from plastic, used for carrying and transporting goods, which bags are made of organic or non-organic materials and can be used several times c. Polystyrene Foam (Styrofoam/Styropor) – a petroleum-based plastic made from styrene monomer and light-weight material used in all types of products from cups and food packaging materials d. Commercial Establishment – refers to an establishment or a cluster of establishments engaged in commerce or sale of goods or services, including but not limited to market stores, shopping mall outlets, supermarkets, department stores, groceries, convenience stores, food chains, restaurants, café’s, bars, sarisari stores and the like e. Operator – refers to a person or group of persons in control of, or having daily responsibility for the daily operation of a commercial establishment, which may include, but not limited to the owner of the commercial establishment SECTION 3. Prohibition on the use of plastic bags. No commercial establishment shall utilize single use, or carry out plastic bags at the point of sale for the purpose of carrying away goods. SECTION 4. Prohibition on the use of Styrofoam/Styropor. No commercial establishment shall use Polystyrene Foam and other similar materials as container for food, produce and other products. SECTION 5. Prohibition on selling plastic bags. No commercial establishment and/or individual shall offer or sell plastic bags to be used as packaging materials. SECTION 6. Monitoring. The Integrated Solid Waste Management Office (ISWMO) shall monitor the effective implementation of this Ordinance. The ISWMO shall prepare a monthly report on the progress of the implementation of this Ordinance. Should an establishment find it meritorious to seek an exemption from this Ordinance, the sample polystyrene or plastic product shall be submitted to the ISWMO for evaluation. Pending the decision of the ISWMO, such sample polystyrene plastic product shall be considered a prohibited product under this Ordinance. P l a s t i c B a g R e g u l a t i o n O r d i n a n c e |3 SECTION 7. Information Education and Communication Campaign. Upon the approval of this Ordinance, the Municipality shall conduct massive information education and communication campaigns using quad media (print, radio, television and internet) and shall also include the promotion of alternative biodegradable packaging materials. SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within thirty (30) days from approval of this Ordinance, the necessary rules and regulations shall be issued by the Municipal Mayor for proper and effective implementation of this Ordinance. SECTION 9. The ISWMO is mandated to conduct a study on the feasibility of providing alternative receptacles for the disposition and marketing of products, so as not to affect the flow of trade and commerce in the Municipality. SECTION 10. The ISWMO is hereby mandated to provide a program wherein livelihood projects shall be implemented for the manufacture and distribution of ecofriendly replacement of plastic containers and bags. These livelihood projects must be coordinated with respective offices to help residents of Apalit earn additional income. SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. This Ordinance shall be implemented on January 1, 2014. SECTION 12. Prohibited Acts. Commercial establishments and/or individuals are prohibited from: a. Selling and providing single use, carry out plastic bags to consumers as packaging materials b. Selling and providing Polystyrene Foam (Styrofoam/styropor) as containers and food packaging materials. SECTION 13. Penalties. Any business establishment who shall violate any of the prohibited acts stated above shall be penalized with the following: First Offense Second Offense Third Offense : : : Php500.00 Php1,000.00 Php2,500.00 and/or imprisonment of not more than ninety (90) days upon the discretion of the court and in the case of commercial establishment, cancellation of its license to operate for a period of one (1) year SECTION 14. Separability Clause. If any part of this Ordinance is declared a judicially as unconstitutional or unlawful, such declaration shall not affect the other parts or section hereof that are not declared unlawful or unconstitutional, SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. All previous Ordinances inconsistent with this Ordinance shall be deemed repealed or modified accordingly. APPROVED. I hereby certify to the correctness of the foregoing Ordinance No. 1, s2013-2016 enacted by the Sangguniang Bayan of Apalit, Pampanga during its 15th Regular Session October 7, 2013. GLENN J. DANTING Secretary to the Sanggunian P l a s t i c B a g R e g u l a t i o n O r d i n a n c e |4 With the concurrence of: AUGUSTO D. MANLAPAZ JESUS G. TORRES, DMD SB Member SB Member JEDALYN L. DALUSUNG SB Member ELIAS L. MENDOZA, JR. MD. SB Member FORTUNATO D. CASTRO SB Member SANNY D. MENDOZA SB Member MA. ANA THERESA M. MACALINO SB Member HERMOGENES G. BAYANI, JR. Liga President CRUZALDO C. GUANZON SB Member EMMANUEL O. SABORDO SKMF President Attested by: PEDRO C. NUCOM Vice-Mayor/Presiding Officer Approved by: OSCAR D. TETANGCO, JR. Municipal Mayor Date of Approval: _____________________________