By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr. yesterday forwarded an endorsement before the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) proposing the prohibition of plastic straws in the city.

Based on Gamboa’s proposal, there are environmentally-friendly straws that can be used as an alternative, such as those made from natural products.

Gamboa claimed the continued use of plastic straws, along with irresponsible disposal, poses a hazard, especially to public health and the environment.

Under the proposal, all establishments in the city must switch to eco-friendly straws.

The ordinance further states, anyone caught using or distributing plastic straws faces penalties in accordance with RA 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000./DGB, WDJ