Shoppers in Bacolod who bring their own reusable bags may soon enjoy quicker checkouts as the city government prepares to launch “greenlanes” in grocery stores and supermarkets, as part of a broader push to cut plastic waste.
Mayor Greg Gasataya told reporters on Monday, September 22, that he recently met with 45 grocery store owners and operators to discuss the plan, which was met with overwhelming support.
The proposed greenlanes will provide dedicated counters for customers carrying reusable bags, offering them faster and more convenient transactions.
He said that the initiative will make shopping easier for those helping reduce plastic waste.
Although participating stores have already pledged support, Gasataya said that he plans to issue an executive order to formalize the program.
He added that the city aims to extend the initiative to public markets, department stores, and the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).
The mayor also floated the possibility of banning plastic bottles at the BCGC and encouraging employees to use their own tumblers.
Incentives for businesses that actively reduce plastic waste are likewise under consideration, he said.
Bacolod’s campaign builds on City Ordinance No. 562, authored by Councilor Em Ang in 2011, which regulates the use, sale, and distribution of plastic bags in the city.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.