By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

An ordinance is being proposed before the Bacolod City  Sangguniang Panlungsod prohibiting the release of certain balloons and lighted sky lanterns. According to City Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr., who authored the proposal, said the ordinance passed its first reading last week.
“Balloon launches are bad [for] the environment, particularly to marine animals,” the city official explained. “They are mistaken as food, [which] poses dangers to their health.”
He said, in order to eliminate illegal garbage disposal and save the environment from waste pollution, one of the ways is to regulate balloon releases.
Provisions of the proposed ordinance prohibits the sale, delivery, and distribution of helium-filled balloons. It also prohibits the intentional release of such balloons.
Balloons made from metallized nylon, metallized plastic, or any foil-like substance, or have any strings, ribbons, or other materials attached to them are also banned; along with the release of lighted sky lanterns.
Exceptions to the policy include balloons used for carrying scientific instruments, if they are used by a person on behalf of a government agency, or are pursuant to a government contract for scientific or meteorological purposes.
Gamboa said the proposed ordinance penalizes those found in violation with a P1,000 fine on their first offense P1,000, P3,000 on the second, and P5,000 for their third and future offenses./DGB, WDJ