Sagay City enforces total ban on single-use plastic

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Sagay City government in Negros Occidental has officially enforced a total ban on single-use plastics starting Jan. 1, 2026, as part of its commitment to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future.

The move is pursuant to City Ordinance No. 2023-015, or the Single-Use Plastic Regulation Ordinance of Sagay, which covers all business establishments within the city, including street vendors offering goods for public sale.

“Let’s reduce waste, protect our seas and land, and choose reusable alternatives,” the city government said in a statement.

The city first prohibited the use of plastics on Sept. 16, 2019, based on a memorandum signed by then-Mayor Alfredo Marañon III on Aug. 28, 2019.

The local government implemented “No Plastic Day” every Tuesday and Friday from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024.

The measure, authored by Councilor Arthur Christopher Marañon, seeks to reduce the use of plastic cutlery, drinking straws, plastic hand gloves, stirrers, and other disposable food and beverage materials.

The ordinance also encourages the use of alternative packaging materials such as woven bags, cloth or paper bags, and similar organic substitutes.

In 2025, the city expanded “No Plastic Day” to include Sundays, as part of efforts to completely phase out the use of plastic bags, Styrofoam, and other single-use plastics by this year.

According to the city government, compliance with the ordinance is high among Sagay residents. Most violators are visitors who come to the city during fiestas or other celebrations.