Philippines' DENR 10 in Macabalan bans all plastic food packaging

According to the statement of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on September 18, all plastic food packaging has been banned in Cagayan de Oro City, the capital city of the province of Misamis Oriental, since September 1.

Under the new measure, the use of plastics or cellophane for packing and food wrapping is prohibited inside the premises of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, region 10 (DENR 10) in barangay Macabalan, stated PIA.

The aim of the measure is to reduce the non-biodegradable materials such as plastic wrappers so that it will not contribute or aggravate the occurrence of flooding in the region, said Regional Executive Director Corazon Galinato.

Personnel are required to bring their non-disposable containers in taking out food from canteens and food stalls inside the DENR 10 compound and security guards will check the entry of all vendors whether they are using plastics or cellophane in wrapping the food that they sell.

Mr Galinato hoped that all DENR offices in the region will soon become plastic-free and encouraged all visitors to support the campaign.

The move was made in compliance to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.