Parañaque to enforce plastics ban in January 

Parañaque City will ban single-use plastics for all dry goods by January 2021, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

Mayor Edwin Olivarez said the implementation of City Ordinance No. 18-40 regulating the use, provision, and sale of Styrofoam, plastic bags and plastic for prepared food and beverage containers was supposed to start last June but because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the prohibition will start on January 2021.

Olivarez said that Parañaque followed Makati, Pasig, Muntinlupa, Pasay, and Quezon City in banning or regulating single-use plastics.

According to the city ordinance, no business establishment such as shops, restaurants, hotel, fast food chains, bars, food stalls, mobile food carts, food caterings, and others shall use Styrofoam, plastic bags and single-use plastic containers including straw and stirrers for their food and beverages.

The mayor said the banning of single-use plastics will help alleviate the problem of plastic wastes always ending up in drainage systems, waterways, and rivers.  

Under the measure, Olivarez also said that only manufacturers in the city will be allowed to use plastics for packaging, but supermarkets and public market vendors will be asked to use biodegradable plastic.

Violators will be fined P5,000 for the first and second offense. For the third offense, violators will also have to pay P5,000 plus cancellation of their business permit and closure of their business establishments.