A six-month dry run in the implementation of the ban on plastic bags and Styrofoam containers in Tagbilaran City will officially start on Saturday.

According to Bebiano Inting of the City Economic Enterprise department, the plastic and Styrofoam ban in establishments such as malls and shopping centers will only be in effect on Saturdays in the next six months.

This will allow establishments to use up all of their plastic and Styrofoam stocks, he said.

Following the dry run, the ban will be enforced throughout the week as stipulated in the “Plastic Bag Ban Ordinance” which was earlier enacted in 2012.

However, there will be considerations in the usage of plastic as this can be used for wrapping wet products such as fish and meat.

Full enforcement of the policy will entail fees of up to P5,000, imprisonment for a maximum of six months and suspension of business permits for one year.

The Tagbilaran City government in turn has urged the public to bring their own shopping bags and containers to use as alternatives to plastic bags.

The new policy is part of the local government’s efforts to reduce plastic usage in the entire city. (A. Doydora)