“Katsa eco-bags” to replace plastic bags in Boracay, Malay

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Malay Sangguniang Bayan member Maylynn Aguirre-Graf is pushing for “eco-friendly bags and reusable containers” to reduce the impact of plastic film bags on Boracay’s environment.

Come July 15, the municipal government of Malay will implement the ordinance restricting the consumption of plastic bags in Malay, Aklan. 

Graf said, “in the future, the local government will be handing out katsa (woven cloth) bags for free to tourists arriving at Caticlan port, stamped with the logo of Malay local government.”

These reusable canvas or katsa flour bags are locally sourced and could inspire the communities in Malay to produce eco-friendly bags for tourists and residents. 

The councilor said massive information dissemination and environmental awareness of Municipal Ordinance No. 320 series of 2012 are also undertaken in the barangays, establishments and stakeholders in an effort to eliminate the consumption of littered bags.  

The ordinance encouraged the public to use alternative packaging materials such as woven bags (bayong), banana and taro leaves or ‘bring your own bag’ to protect the town’s canals, creeks, rivers, lakes and other waterways.

The local law, which was approved on October 2, 2012, also prohibits the use of styrofoam / styrophor as containers for food, produce and other products and the use and selling of plastic bags for dry goods by business establishments.

Any business establishment violating will be meted out penalties of P1,000 for the first offense and P1,500 for second offense.

For third offense, the violator will be fined P2,500 and faces imprisonment of not less than a month but not more than six months and cancellation of permit to operate for one year. 

Five years ago, the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay also enacted Municipal Ordinance No. 311 series of 2012 prohibiting littering, dumping and throwing of garbage and other waste materials. 

The article was originally published by independent online blog Aklan Forum Journal. The unrestricted use in print or radio, publication and distribution of articles are allowed provided the original author and Aklan Forum Journal are credited.