Iloilo City pushes eco-friendly alternatives to plastic straws

Beginning October restaurants in Iloilo City are banned from using plastic straws.

According to City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) head Engr. Noel Hechanova, the city will launch the Throw Your Straw program next month which encourages people to do away with the plastic tubes and use an “alternative straw” instead.

The campaign is a joint initiative of the local government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources against the hazards of plastic as exemplified by the tons of plastic garbage that clog the city’s waterways.

And if one insists on using a straw, the agency recommends keeping a personal straw made from silicon, bamboo, paper, glass or metal.

Meanwhile, the city council has approved on first reading the proposed ordinance that seeks to ban the use of plastic straws and stirrers in the city.

“Wala man may ng object sa ordinansa and we’re also grateful na hambal sang mga business establishments naton nga mas maayo gani nga i prohibit naman gid ang plastic straws naton (No one objected to ordinance and even the business establishments agree with the prohibition of plastic straws),” said Councilor Lady Julie Grace Baronda, author of the ordinance.

Under the ordinance, first-time violators will be fined P500; second-time offenders will be fined P800 while third-time offenders will have to pay P1,000.

Food service establishments will be asked to put up a sign that says “no plastic straw and stirrer” policy.”

SOURCE: Iloilo City Government

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