Ilonggos support proposed Plastic Straw Ordinance

ESTABLISHMENT owners, student councils, and organizations agree to the proposed prohibition of plastic drinking straws.

John Michael Suelo, Central Philippine University Republic president said, “This policy is important. As much as we want to eliminate, or somehow reduce our solid waste, banning plastic straws is one way to help save the environment.”

“It’s about time. For the environment and sustainability, it would be better to implement the policy.  Operational wise, maplanuhan man ina ya namon.” Chris Michael Moralidad, Field Manager of Local Coffee (LOCO) said.

According to Moralidad, his team finds no problem with the proposed policy.

“Of course, we should always look after our impacts to the environment too and not just our business and profit,” Moralidad added.

Christina Estorque, Owner of Booklatte, said that there are 200 and more plastic drinking straws being used every day in her café alone.

The worldwide movement against plastic straws intensified when a video of a team of scientists from National Geographic of the National Geographic Society gone viral after pulling a plastic straw from the nostril of an olive ridley sea turtle.

Achilles Tan, Owner of Loco said, “I personally don’t feel the need of plastic straws.  So, I am happy with the policy. We are actually starting to limit the use of straws in the shop now. For orders, for instance, we usually do not put straws automatically especially for dine in orders.”

According to Estorque, although the policy imposes a challenge to business establishments like hers where plastic drinking straws seem to be necessary, she is still ready and willing to cooperate through implementing the No Plastic Straw Policy in her shop.

These establishments are looking into the probability of using paper, bamboo, or stainless straws as an alternative.

During the first committee hearing last July 16, student councils and organizations from the different colleges and universities in Iloilo City suggested to include the prohibition of Plastic Stirrers.

“We, the youth of today, are not just kids who rant. We are individually powerful, but so much more if we unite. We should take this power to voice out our concerns – such as issues concerning the environment. But more than the talk, refuse the straw, bring your own bag, and encourage your family and friends to do the same,” Shaila Veronica Paris, West Visayas State University Student Council Councilor said.

“This is a collective effort.  We could all do this together,” Estorque said.

Establishment representatives, who appeared during the second committee hearing last September 5, raised the possibility of expanding the policy to include plastic cellophane and Styrofoam packaging in the prohibition.

According to Councilor Lady Julie Grace Baronda, the minimal convenience that plastic straws provide cannot equate to the environmental threat that they cost.

“I can say that through a collective effort, something achievable can be done,” Baronda added.

An ordinance prohibiting the use of plastic drinking straws and plastic stirrers in all business establishments, stalls or stands in the city of Iloilo, promoting other environment-friendly practices and alternatives, and providing penalties for violations thereof was proposed to the Sanggunian Panglungsod by Councilor Lady Julie Grace Baronda last May.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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