CAGAYAN DE ORO — Supermarkets in this city have started charging consumers a peso for every plastic bag under an ordinance that took effect last Nov. 15 in line with the environmental campaign to discourage the use of plastic packaging materials.
Councilor President D. Elipe, chairman of the city council’s committee on the environment, said the one-peso ‘pass-through charge’ will be collected for each plastic bag that will be used by the customer.
Customers can avoid the charge if they will us recyclable shopping bags, or purchase the ₱30 reusable eco-bag that is promoted by the city government.
The local government earlier forged an agreement with SM City, SaveMore, Robinsons Mall, Ororama and Gaisano Mall for the unified eco-bag project that aims to minimize the use of plastic bags and cellophanes, acknowledging that the excessive use of plastic bags cause clogging on drainages and contribute to flooding during heavy rainfall.
Mr. Elipe noted the major role of supermarkets in the city’s bid to promote environmental protection and in helping last year’s storm survivors who are producing the eco-bags.
Robinsons Supermarket was the first to enforce the ordinance early this month even before its official implementation.
For its part, the SM Supermalls have promoted the use of eco-bags since 2009 by including the scheme in its loyalty program.
Faith A. May, a frequent shopper, said the project contributes a lot in avoiding future calamities.
However, she said the money that will be generated from the project should serve its purpose right and not be subjected to fraud and corruption.
‘One peso is just a very small amount and I will not mind being charged as the eco-bag is a lot more expensive. However, if you sum it all up among all these malls, that could generate a huge amount of cash and I hope the [tropical storm] Sendong survivors will really benefit from it,’ she said.
Cagayan de Oro has joined several local governments in Metro Manila that have earlier implemented similar ordinances. — R. L. A. Embodo