Daanbantayan bans single-use plastics in markets

Local

SHOPPERS in Daanbantayan town in northern Cebu will have to rely on baskets, buckets, and reusable containers instead of plastic bags when they visit the public market.

This as the town's Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) is strictly enforcing a ban on single-use plastics in the market, covering all plastic containers used for fish, meat, vegetables, and other goods.

The measure is based on Municipal Ordinance No. 18-2020, Article XIX, Section 61, authored by former councilor and now Vice Mayor Elver Ali Abucay.

Under the ordinance, vendors and shoppers are prohibited from using any single-use plastic materials.

MENRO officials emphasized that the ban applies to all market transactions and reiterated that it is a mandatory rule, not an optional guideline.

To inform the public, advisories announcing the ban have been posted around town, particularly in the public market, starting Wednesday, Feb. 4.

The notices make it clear that single-use plastics will no longer be allowed starting and that compliance is required by all residents and vendors.

The local authorities has also set escalating penalties to ordinance violators.

First-time offenders may pay P500 or complete eight hours of community service, second-time offenders P1,500 or 16 hours of service, third-time offenders P2,500 or 40 hours of service, while fourth-time violators may face imprisonment for one to six months, depending on the court’s discretion.

MENRO officials noted that these penalties are designed to ensure strict compliance and make the ban effective from the very first day.

Single‑use plastics are typically made from long chains of synthetic polymers derived from fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas.

These polymers, like polyethylene and polypropylene, are designed to be lightweight, durable, and resistant to moisture and breakdown, which makes them useful for packaging and containers but also extremely persistent in the environment.

Estimates suggest common single‑use items such as plastic bags can take decades to centuries to decompose, while bottles and similar products may persist for hundreds of yearsl in some cases up to 450–1,000 years under environmental conditions — before fully breaking down into microscopic pieces known as microplastics.

The local policy of Daanbantayan town aligns with broader environmental efforts in Cebu, where organizations such as the EcoWaste Coalition, have urged elected leaders to prioritize environmental protection and public health.

Advocates stress that local governments must enforce laws like the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, improve garbage collection systems, support community recycling, and promote the reuse of materials to reduce plastic waste.

In Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City, officials have already begun phasing out single-use plastics in government offices, encouraging staff and food vendors to adopt reusable alternatives.

Environmental advocates note that clear penalties, consistent enforcement, and public cooperation are key to making these programs successful.

Daanbantayan is a second-class municipality in northern Cebu, located about 123 kilometers from Cebu City.(MyTVCebu)