• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Victorias City will soon go plastic-free.
Starting June 3, Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said that single-use plastics, such as straws, bags, cutlery, water bottles, styrofoam containers, stirrers, and condiment packets will be banned in all Victorias City government offices.
The concerned local government unit will instead use sustainable alternatives like reusable straws, cloth bags, eco-friendly cutlery, stainless steel/glass bottles, biodegradable containers, wooden stirrers, and refillable condiment containers, according to the Executive Order 64 issued by Benitez.
After its implementation in City Hall government offices, Benitez said it will also be enforced in other government buildings and economic enterprises, and eventually to the greater city area
Negros Occidental 3rd district Rep. Jose Francis Benitez, in a statement, lauded the city government for banning unnecessary single-use plastic products in all government offices.
He earlier expressed support for EO 64, saying it is “a welcome development and a testament to Victorias City’s concern for the environment.”
The Negrense lawmaker authored Republic Act 11898, or the Extended Producers’ Responsibility Act, mandating local government units and plastic manufacturers to recover, collect, and clean up all plastic waste.
Benitez also headed the technical working group in the 18th Congress responsible for passing on the third and final reading House Bill 9147 or the proposed Single-Use Plastic Products Regulations Act.
“Banning single-use plastics is a critical and concrete step towards a sustainable economy and shall be a big win for the environment and for future generations to come,” he said.* with PNA reports
