Anti-plastic task force inspects public market

May 8, 2018 Metro BLISTT

To check the adherence of stall owners to the anti-plastic ordinance of the city, members of the Plastic Styrofoam Free Baguio Task Force (PSFBTF) and the office of city market superintendent conducted an inspection at the city public market.
The inspection is in consonance with the implementation of the ordinance that started last Tuesday, May 1, 2018.
In 2017, the city council passed ordinance No. 35 regulating the sale, use and distribution of plastic, carry bags and styrofoam in the city.
However its implementation was long overdue because of the absence of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
Last week the city mayor issued Administrative Order No. 45-2018 promulgating the rules and regulation of the city anti-plastic ordinance.
During the inspection, some stall owners were seen using plastic bags to pack the purchases of their costumers. Non-environmentally acceptable products (NEAP) and packaging materials were also used in their goods.
Before the ordinance took its full effect, stall owners and vendors were given enough time to dispose their remaining plastic bags. But during the inspection the unused and new plastic bags were seen displayed in their stalls.
Fernando Ragma Jr., market superintendent, said he was pleased to see the notices they distributed attached to their stalls. He said this will constantly remind market goers about the ordinance.
However, he said the task force still need to exert more effort during the enforcement and implementation of the ordinance.
“We were happy to see these notices in the stalls that we visited. However we also observed that merchandise are being repacked in the market using NEAP. This is prohibited under the ordinance,” Ragma explained.
He said the task force still need to conduct more information, education campaign to raise awareness.
Meanwhile, Councilor Elaine Sembrano, author of the said ordinance, said the inspection served as a warning not only to the stall owners and vendors but also to all Baguio residents. “This is our first visit but this is also a warning to all. The city government is very serious in implementing the ordinance,” Sembrano said.
“We are encouraging them (market goers) to bring their own ‘bayong’ or basket,” she added.
A public consultation was scheduled on May 9 from 8am to 5pm at the city multipurpose hall to address concerns of vendors and consumers.
Along with Ragma and Sembrano, the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) assistant head Ruben Cervantes was also among the task force that went around the market. Members of the task force from the General Services Office (GSO), city treasurer’s office and other departments were also present during the inspection.
The market inspection was conducted on Friday (May 4) around the dry and wet section of the public market along Magsaysay Avenue. DIONISIO B. DENNIS JR. / ABN