PERSPECTIVES OF VENDORS IN DAVAO CITY ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ORDINANCE 0361 BANNING OF NON-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC BAGS

Abstract

The Davao City ordinance banning non-biodegradable containers has

been implemented starting June 28, 2012. Ideally, this ordinance has noble

purposes; however, its merits will only be realized if its corresponding provisions

are conscientiously implemented. This study was conducted to explore the issues

encountered by the vendors who are using non-biodegradable plastic bags in

Davao City. This study is qualitative in nature. Eight purposively chosen vendors

from Piapi, Agdao, and Bankerohan Public Markets were interviewed using

structured questions. Findings disclosed that most of the interviewed vendors in

Piapi and Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City were in favor of the ordinance

as they believed that it could help lessen the problem on solid waste in Davao

City. Others were not in favor with this ordinance because of the low quality and

the relatively higher costs of biodegradable plastic bags which adversely affected

their profit. In relation to urban flooding some said that it could be attributed to

the lack of discipline and concern towards the environment of the residents and

not because of the type of plastic bags we are using.