Online challenge: Use ‘Ecobag’ for shopping

A CITY Hall employee has started an online campaign challenging social media users to use ecobag when going grocery shopping in Cagayan de Oro.

Alain Roy Romero, an employee at the Office for the Community Affairs posted on Facebook about the challenge using the hashtag #EcoBagChallenge pursuant of the City Ordinance No. 13378-2018 otherwise known as thw Integrated Ecological Solid Waste Management of Cagayan de Oro City, regulates the use of plastic bags in all commercial establishments in the city.

The ordinance will be effective January 1, 2019.

The challenge states that when shopping in malls and markets, one musy use an “eco bag” like baskets/bayongs

instead of plastic bags. The challenger then should take a photo or video of the act and post it to his or her Facebook timeline and tag at least three of friends his or her friends.

“I did it to accept next year’s inevitable implementation of a city ordinance, banning plastic for dry goods and other selected products. Why do it in 2019 when we can do it now?,” Romero said.

“Gahimo pa gani ang uban katong challenge bitaw sa music video nga magsayaw-sayaw sa sidewalk while ga-pan ang camera inside a car. Nahimo gani nila na illegal to or risky. How much more kini na balaod na on behavioural change ang purpose,” he added.

City Admnistrator Teddy Sabuga-a pointed out that the city hall employee’s challenge is actually part of the city government’s intensified campaign for the implementation of the city ordinance next year.

Sabuga-a said they are also thinking of giving rewards to the constituents who are up for the campaign.

The plastic regulation shall apply in all commercial establishments, such as malls, fast foods, pharmacies, markets, food kiosks, and even sari-sari stores.

This means that establishments will not be allowed to provide their customers plastic bags as packaging materials, particularly for dry goods and cooked food.

The new policy shall encourage the “Bring Your Own Bag” policy, from going shopping at the mall, to buying food in your favorite carenderia.

If stores still issue plastic bags to its customers, the City Government shall penalize store owners with a penalty worth P3,000 for every plastic bag issued. (PJ Orias)