QC to resume ban on plastic bags, single-use plastics beginning March 1

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. INQUIRER.net photo / Ryan Leagogo

MANILA, Philippines — Starting March 1, plastic bags and single-use plastics will once again be banned in Quezon City, its local government announced Saturday.

In a statement, the local government of Quezon City said that it will resume implementing City Ordinance 2868-2019.

The use of brown paper bags in groceries and other retail stores will only be allowed this year. But starting 2022, it will also be prohibited as part of the full implementation of the ordinance.

As plastic bags and paper bags will soon be banned, Quezon City residents are now encouraged to bring their own reusable bags.

Quezon City started implementing the ban in January 2020, but was temporarily lifted in May the same year through the city’s localized guidelines for Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) and its succeeding versions.

In a memorandum issued by city Mayor Joy Belmonte, all shopping malls, supermarkets, fast-food chains, drug stores and other retailers registered under the Business Permits and Licensing Department “should cease the distribution and/or provision of plastic bags to their customers.”

Aside from this, Quezon City will also be enforcing the ban on the distribution of disposable and single-use plastics in restaurants and hotels for dine-in transactions beginning July 1, 2021, the LGU said.

This is in line with City Ordinance 2876-2019, where restaurants are prohibited from “distributing single-use plastic/ disposable materials to their dine-in customers such as plastic spoon and fork, knives, plastic/paper cups, plates, plastic/paper straws, coffee stirrers and other disposable materials and styrofoam.

““Hotels, on the other hand, are also not allowed to distribute soap, shampoo, shower gels, liquid soap, conditioners, and other items used for hygienic purposes in sachets and single-use containers,” the LGU said of the second ordinance.

The implementation of this ordinance, the Quezon City LGU added, was also deferred through the MECQ guidelines.

“There is a pressing need to strengthen the city’s efforts in response to the global movement to reduce plastic wastes. Our call to action is also in fulfillment of the city’s international commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase climate resilience. With the re-implementation of the plastic bag ban, we hope to promote sustainable practices in the city,” Belmonte said.

JPV

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