Northern Samar bans single-use plastics

In a significant step to promote a balanced and healthy environment, the Provincial Government through Governor Edwin Ongchuan and its Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), passed a local policy regulating the use of plastics in Northern Samar.

Ordinance No. 25, series of 2024, also known as "The 2024 Revised Plastic Ordinance of the Province of Northern Samar" signifies a unified move to protect the environment and penalize acts that endanger the environment to include activities that result to pollution and ecological imbalance. The policy aims to reduce the proliferation of plastic bags and reduce the adverse impacts of waste materials on human health and environment to support economic development and improved quality of life.

The legislative measure primarily prohibits stores from single-use plastics, and encourages the use of alternative eco-friendly packing materials. Local enterpreneurs are also encouraged to locally produce alternative eco-friendly bagging materials to sustain supply.

As an exception, plastics can be used to pack perishable products for their preservation such as ice, cooking oil, soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, butter, etc. For rice, corn and mongo which are perishable products, plastic sacks for packing may be allowed but should be recycled or rice dealers may buy back at a reasonable price if the used plastic sacks are still fit for reuse. Likewise, cooked food with sauce or soup may be taken out using cellophane or styrofoam for proper handling. However, dine inn food and drinks shall be served in regular plates, bowls and drinking glasses. In the event stores run out of alternative packing materials, plastic may be used for packing but limited to only 1 plastic bag per customer per one-time shopping.

The ordinance considers as punishable acts the following:

1. Burning of plastic materials whether in public or private areas that result in toxic fumes

2. Dumping of plastic wastes into the rivers, or other waterways that contaminate water, soil, marine life and air

3. Littering of plastic garbage inside public utility vehicles or sea craft, in public places or private-owned lots within Northern Samar

4. Use of plastic bags, styrofoam or styropor as primary packing materials in commercial establishments

5. Selling at exorbitant price alternative or eco-friendly bagging materials, or used plastic bags

6. Sealing of plastic shopping bags with plastic bag sealer or staple wire which will make it unreusable

7. Willfully encouraging anyone to commit acts in violation of this Ordinance

Those who will be found violating the policy will be meted out with corresponding penalties:

For First Offense of persons or individuals – P500 fine or 4 hours community service;

Second Offense – P1,000 fine or 6 hours community service; and for

Third Offense – P1,500 fine, or 8 hours community service and/or imprisonment not exceeding 2 months

For violators engaged in business, there will be added penalty of suspension of business permit for 1 month for second offense, and revocation of business permit for third offense. As for public officers or employees, they will be punished with P1,500 fine plus an administrative disciplinary action.

The ordinance, principally authored by Board Member Dexter Galit, co-authored by Board Members Don Abalon, Albert Lucero and Gilbert Layon, unanimously approved by all members of the SP, will take effect 15 days following its publication.