LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – Following the start of the Pamulinawen Festival 2023 in Laoag City this February, the City Government of Laoag, through its City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), reminded the public and food vendors to practice proper waste management and disposal in the event areas.

In an interview, Mylene Pascual, Laoag CENRO Officer said that their office alone cannot monitor waste management in food fair in Aurora Park, the carnival located under the Gilbert Bridge, the Agro-Industrial Trade Fair in Laoag Central Elementary School, and other fiesta event venues every day, so they are appealing to both the public and the vendors to implement proper waste segregation and disposal.

“Panawagan namin na sana kapag natapos na yung event, i-dispose nila nang maayos o kung walang makitang malapit na basurahan, iuwi nila yung basura. Pero as much as possible, ini-implement namin sa mga vendors, especially yung mga nagtitinda ng pagkain na maglagay sila ng basurahan near their stall para doon na i-dispose ng mga costumer nila yung basura,” Pascual said.

According to the CENRO Officer, they also added additional garbage cans in the mentioned event areas to minimize garbage, especially plastic litter.

She also encouraged the public to bring their own reusable cups and bags to carry their purchases instead of using plastic materials.

On December 2022, Laoag City Government called for the strict implementation of the Bring Along Your Own Natural Greenbag or the BAYONG Ordinance of 2012. Under this ordinance, individuals are only allowed to use one thin-film, single-use or carry out plastic bags for the merchandise they purchase in the Laoag Public Market and other business establishments in the city.

Pascual said that the same rule shall be followed in the festival areas to lessen garbage in the city.

“Kung papasyal kayo sa fiesta, panawagan namin na sana maging-conscious kayo sa mga basura, lalo na sa mga plastic na gagamitin ninyo. Lifestyle change po tayo, alam kong mahirap dahil nakasanayan na natin ang paggamit ng plastic, pero let’s try to lessen it,” she encouraged. (JCR/MJTAB/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)