Councilor Garcia Calls BOPK dads ‘anti-environment’
Cebu City Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia described Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) councilors as ‘anti-environment'after they junked the proposed amendment of City Ordinance 2343 that would prohibit the use of plastic bags every day.
He told reporters that the public has the right to know the councilors who voted against his proposed amendments of the existing ordinance which aims to protect the environment.
These councilors are Eugenio Gabuya Jr., Mary Ann Delos Santos, Sisinio Andales, Margarita Osmeña, Alvin Arcilla, Joy Augustus Young including the ex-officio members Franklyn Ong and Jessica Resch.
“These are the councilors who voted against the ordinance unta banning the use of plastic bags for seven days which would have improve our flooding problem and of course, saving our environment,” Garcia said.
To recall, BOPK councilors were not convinced to approve his proposal since they want an update on the existing ordinance banning the use of plastic bags every Wednesday and Saturday of the week.
Other than this, a consultation with business establishments and residents should also be conducted to hear their opinions about the matter.
Garcia further said the disapproval of his proposed legislation is politicallymotivated saying BOPK don't want to give the credit to him who belongs to the opposition, Barug PDP-Laban.
“Kibaw gyud ta nga pamolitika rani tanan ba. They just don't want the opposition to get the credit for that kay eleksyon man. Nangayo sila og data ni mayor Osmeña pagban og plastic sa city hall, naa ba'y data? Wala man,”he said.
In a separate interview, Osmeña said Garcia can say whatever he wants but she emphasized that his colleagues wanted to study the amendments further.
“We're not against the ban. It needs more studies. He (Garcia) can say what he likes. It was very clear in the discussions. My colleagues were asking for more studies. That's all,” she said
Gabuya disagreed with the statement of Garcia calling them as ‘anti-environment' since plastics bottles, styrofoam, and other singleuse plastics caused the clogging of the drainage and rivers, not plastic shopping bags.
Even though BOPK councilors have objected his earlier proposed amendment, Garcia expressed his support on the proposed ordinance of the executive department prohibiting the utilization of single-use plastic in the city.
He even lauded the executive department for drafting such legislation that would lead the city to a plastic-free community.
“Very good, that's what I am trying to say from the beginning nga let's start with plastic bags and then there are others single-use plastics atong iban. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” Garcia said.
At present, the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) along with the Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) are reviewing the proposed ordinance which will be submitted in the August Body for further deliberation and approval.
Under the proposed ordinance, all residents, business firms, public and private offices are prohibited to utilize identified single-use plastics such as thin-film plastic bags, sando bags, drinking straws, stirrers, cups, plates, spoons, forks, and the use of styrofoam as food packaging material.
Aside from prohibiting its use, selling is also not allowed. —
Odessa