TACLOBAN CITY — The provincial government of Northern Samar has mandated all Capitol employees to bring and use reusable water tumblers while at work as part of its intensified campaign to reduce plastic waste and strengthen environmental compliance.
The directive, contained in Memorandum No. 26-01-01 issued on January 12, 2026 by the Office of the Governor, took effect immediately and covers more than 4,000 provincial government employees.
Signed by Governor Harris Ongchuan, the memorandum reinforces the province’s commitment to Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which mandates proper waste segregation and reduction of solid waste at source.
Under the policy, employees are encouraged to use personal reusable tumblers or water bottles inside government offices. The use of single-use and disposable plastic water bottles is strongly discouraged across all provincial government facilities.
Provincial officials said the move seeks to significantly cut down the volume of plastic waste generated daily in government offices, particularly empty water bottles that often end up in landfills, waterways, and coastal areas.
“This initiative forms part of the Province’s continuing efforts to institutionalize sustainable practices and promote environmental responsibility among government personnel,” the memorandum stated.
Provincial Information Officer Arlyn Cui said the directive is both a practical and symbolic step toward building a culture of sustainability within the Capitol.
“The policy is part of the provincial government’s advocacy to minimize the use of plastics, starting with Capitol employees, with the hope that other local government units will adopt the same policy until it becomes part of the culture in Northern Samar,” Cui said in an online interview on February 6.
Cui noted that while bringing reusable tumblers may appear to be a small act, it can help address the province’s broader garbage problem by promoting daily discipline in waste reduction.
“Even small actions such as bringing reusable tumblers provide significant help in instilling discipline in the workplace—discipline that employees can carry into their own households and, eventually, into the wider community,” she said.
Although the memorandum describes the directive as mandatory, Cui clarified that no penalties will be imposed on employees who fail to comply, emphasizing that the initiative is driven by advocacy and collective responsibility rather than punishment.
Northern Samar, a coastal province vulnerable to climate change and marine pollution, has been strengthening its environmental programs in recent years, including stricter waste segregation, plastic reduction measures, and climate-resilient governance initiatives.
“Let us all work together in fostering a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Northern Samar,” the memorandum stated.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
