SILLIMAN University marked World Environment Month in June with a forum spearheaded by the Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center for Law and Development of Silliman University on the proposed ordinance prohibiting the use of plastic shopping bags on dry goods and regulating its utilization on wet goods in the city of Dumaguete on June 23, 2011 at the Moot Court, Villareal Hall, Silliman University.

Atty. Myrish Cadapan- Antonio, Director of the Salonga Center, officially opened the said forum and introduced the guests: proponents of the ordinance Vice- Mayor Alan Gel Cordova and City Councilor Franklin Esmena, Jr. and Environment Committee of the City Council Chair Atty. Manuel Arbon.

A short media clip presentation on the worldwide statistics’ use of plastic bags and its harmful effects to the environment was shown to inform the participants of the world’s dilemma on the consumption of plastic bags. Hon. Arbon facilitated the discussion on the proposed ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance Prohibiting the Use of Plastic Shopping Bags on Dry Goods & Regulating its Utilization on Wet Goods in the City of Dumaguete and Prescribing Penalties Thereof.” The said ordinance was pending at his committee for deliberation before its second reading. Hon. Arbon explained that the purpose of promulgating such ordinance was for the reasons that plastics are not biodegradable; it poses a serious problem in our garbage, clogs our canals and waterways, and are environmental hazards. These reasons are s tated in the “Whereas” clause of the proposed ordinance. He further stated that LGUs are vested with the responsibility and power to manage and protect the environment within its territorial jurisdiction in order for the people to enjoy their right to a balanced and healthy ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Such right is provided by our Constitution.

Hon. Arbon focused his discussion on the salient provisions of the proposed ordinance: Section 4 speaks of regulating the use of plastic bags on wet goods; Section 5 prohibits the distribution and selling of plastic bags on dry goods; Section 6 provides that plastic wastes will not be collected but must be cleaned and dried before it is submitted to their respective barangays for proper disposal; Section 8 speaks of the information, education and communication campaign necessary for the effective implementation of the ordinance; Section 10 enumerates the prohibited acts on selling, providing and disposing of plastic bags; and Section 11 sets forth the penalties for violation of the ordinance.

During the open forum, Hon. Arbon s tressed that “The local ordinance only attempts to regulate the use of plastic so that there will be a lesser volume of plastic in the city of Dumaguete, so as to reduce the volume of solid waste generated by the province.” “The proposed ordinance attempts to regulate and eventually phase-out the use of plastics in Dumaguete city,” Hon. Esmena, Jr. added.

“We are going in that direction of totally eliminating the use of plastic, but not within our term, we have to realize that fact. We are here just to regulate and reduce the use of plastic, because as I have mentioned, this is a paradigm shift, a habitudinal change of how we think and how we see the use, convenience and practicability of plastics,” Hon. Cordova explained on what the ordinance is trying to impose.

Finally, Hon. Arbon expressed his appreciation to the Salonga Center for initiating the said forum, as it serves as a public consultation on the proposed ordinance especially that the same is undergoing revisions, and that whatever inputs derived from the forum will be shared on the committee meeting on Friday, June 24, 2011.

Among those who participated in the forum were law students from Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), Foundation University and Silliman University, students and faculties from the SU Biology and Chemistry departments, and representatives from Friends of the Environment.

We were also graced by the presence of Hon. Tony Remollo, Ms. Mercy Teves from the ENRD, and Atty. Mikhail Lee Maxino, Dean of the SU College of Law.

Salonga Center volunteers who successfully organized the forum were Dan Tinagan, Ingrid Tinagan, Jan Mark Baguio, Pie Sanchez, Gracelyn Bellingan, Hannah Descallar, and Chiarra, along with the center’s secretary, Ms. Andrea Alviola.