The local government of Davao City has released the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the No to Single-Use Plastic Ordinance.

According to a report by GMA Super Radyo Davao, environmental group Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS)- Davao Executive Director, Atty. Mark Peñalver, clarified that the ordinance is not a complete ban on single-use plastics but a regulatory measure on their use.

Under the ordinance, establishments and events that use or sell single-use plastics must secure a permit from the local government.

However, before the permit is issued, the owner or organizer must prove that there are no other alternatives available to the use of single-use plastics.

The ordinance, which was passed in 2021, also states that violators may face penalties of up to P5,000 or imprisonment of up to six months.

Peñalver added that the group expressed gratitude for the release of the IRR, which they said is crucial for the implementation and for reducing the volume of waste in the city.

He also stressed the need to educate the public about the new policy.

Although the IRR has just been released, many establishments in the city have already begun complying with the ordinance.