Harmful ‘wet wipes’ banned in Baguio

_{By Jordan G. Habbiling}

_{BAGUIO CITY -- The city council approved on third and final reading an ordinance prohibiting sale of wet wipes and other similar products with harmful ingredients in all establishments here.}

_{The ordinance was signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Feb. 28.}

_{Penned by Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, the ordinance cites the EcoWaste Coalition’s warning on the presence of harmful chemical compounds in wet wipes which may trigger skin allergies and may cause contact dermatitis.}

_{The EcoWaste Coalition is a non-profit environmental group that envisions a zero waste Philippines and addresses climate and chemical safety issues.}

_{In their website, the group mentioned six products that allegedly contain harmful chemical compounds such as methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MIT), and iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC).}

_{These are Dong Bang, Dong Bang Yao Baby Tender, Family Treasure Baby Tender, Sky Fire Baby Tender, Giggley Baby Wipes, and Super Soft Skin Care Wet Towel.}

_{The enumerated wet wipes and other similar products found to contain the aforementioned ingredients are now prohibited in the city.}

_{“Some of these baby wipes/products were found sold at the city’s grocery stores, black market, supermarkets, and convenience stores; and the continued sale of these products supposedly for hygiene is disturbing,” the ordinance reads.}

               _{During recent public consultation conducted by the committee on market, trade, commerce, and agriculture chaired by Councilor Philian Weygan-Allan, the Food and Drug Administration and the Dept. of Health recommended banning of sale of said products.}

_{Pursuant to the ordinance, the City Health Services Office, in coordination with the Public Order and Safety Division and barangay officials, is authorized to inspect establishments and confiscate said prohibited products followed by an inventory on the confiscated items identifying the name of the establishment, its location, type and number of confiscated items, and mode of disposal conducted.}

               _{The CHSO was tasked to coordinate with the FDA and the City Environment and Parks Management Office to identify environmental-friendly modes of disposal of confiscated products.}

_{Erring individuals and establishments will be fined P1, 000 for the first offense (immediate closure of business for those without business permits), P3, 000.00 for the second offense (closure of business for those without business permits until compliance) and P5, 000 and non-renewal of business permit for the third offense.}

_{Individuals or business establishments that will surrender banned products will not be penalized}.