Ordinance For A Cleaner Davao City

Usage of non-biodegradable containers particularly plastic bags and polystyrene foam (commonly called as Styrofoam) will be totally banned in the city starting June 28, 2012.  This is in accordance to Section 7, Article V of the Ordinance 0361 series of 2010 of the Davao City Ecological Waste Management of 2009.  According to the ordinance, only recyclable, biodegradable and reusable materials are allowed to be used as food and beverage container especially in market places and fast food chains.

It was also mentioned under Section 10, Rule VI of the ordinance’s implementing rules and regulations encouraging food and packaging industries to develop a more environment friendly container to replace the non-biodegradable ones.  I hope they immediately come up with the substitute material as not to affect the employment of it's labor force.

Meanwhile, public information drives are being held by concerned government offices prior to the ordinance implementation.  With this, no can avoid from being prosecuted by claiming not being aware of the ordinance.  Nonetheless, ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
  

If successfully implemented, this is another breakthrough for Davao City.  Added to it's people and environment friendly list of ordinances (i.e. no firecrackers, no smoking on public places).  I already observed that some supermarkets are already using paper and biodegradable plastic bags for groceries, which is a very good indication.

It maybe hard for others to let go of the ever convenient plastic bags and Styrofoam containers.  But think of it as a challenge, to create and look for much better and eco-friendly alternatives for such materials.  In the long run, it'll benefit us all:

• help us have cleaner sewage and canals thus minimizing flooded streets, as a result, good traffic flow;
• less polluted rivers and seas, which means greater life sustainable area for our marine food;
• lesser clogged drainage, lesser stagnant water, lesser breeding ground for disease causing insects;
• lesser garbage (minus biodegradable, reusable and recyclable materials), cleaner Davao City, and everything follows.

Let us all support the ordinance and be role models for other cities to follow. Just a little something to show that we care for the environment.  Proud to be Dabawenyo... Yahweh bless.