DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 20 Nov) – The bayong, the hand-woven all-purpose bags that were once carried by shoppers in wet markets and by rural and interprovincial travelers, is in vogue once more as the Davao del Sur office of the Department of Trade and Industry is pushing for the use of biodegradable bags and wrapping materials.
Edwin O. Banqueting, DTI provincial director, said he hoped that the launching of the Green Bag project, which advocates against the use of plastic and cellophane bags in shopping, would catch interest in the rest of the country.
The use of the bayong was DTI’s response to the global call to use indigenous biodegradable materials, including bags, rather than plastics to carry or wrap shopping items.
Banquerigo said that the movement would also ease the pressure on garbage disposal, flooding and pollution of maritime areas, where reports have indicated that cellophane and plastic materials have found their way into the stomachs of fishes.
Also called as “Romblon bags,” the bayong is also widely being made in Davao del Sur. “While Davao Sur has been a supplier of Romblon products to both the domestic and export market, it is also worthwhile that we promote the product in the local market,” he said in a DTI statement.
Banquerigo said the use of the bayong was intended to supplement the advocacy of certain sectors in the “Buy Filipino” movement.
To start the project, the DTI has persuaded organizations, stores and other commercial establishments to sign a “pledge of commitment.” Among the signatories were the Davao del Sur Consumer Network (ConsumerNet) and the enterprises duly conferred by the DTI with the Certified Establishments (CE) seals in the province.
These were the organizations and establishments that contributed to conceptualizing the Green Bag project.
The other signatories were Digos City Mayor Joseph O. Penas, DENR Provincial Director, Marcia Isip, Dr. Alan Kintanar of Konsumo Digos; Roy Cabaluna of Pas Roy Merchandising; Ben Salazar of JK Salazar Corporation; Nida Torres of Badiang, Balisong, and Tabigue Livelihood and Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Babatalias MPC).
Banquerigo said that the DTI would also persuade the major shopping centers and other department stores to discard plastics and cellophane bags in wrapping shopping items.
“We can actually promote the use of bayong not just in malls and markets but also in schools. We can advocate among our students and teachers to use bayong as their school bags,” he said. (MindaNews)
