HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES– As the 18thCongress of the Republic of the Philippines started its First Regular Session, Bataan First District Representative Geraldine B. Roman filed House Bill No. 0139 that seeks to phase out and eventually prohibit single-use plastic products, promote recycling and proper disposal of plastic products.
“Isang kasagutan o solusyon sa matinding polusyong plastic ay ang HB 0139 kung saan ay ipagbabawal na ang paggawa, pag-import, at paggamit ng mga “business establishments” ng “single-use plastic” gaya ng mga “plastic straws, plastic cups, plastic bottles, plastic grocery bags, plastic food containers,” at kung anu-ano pang plastik na pang minsanang-gamit lamang,” Roman narrated thru her Facebook Page post.
Congresswoman Roman said her House Bill will be called,”Single-Use Plastics Phaseout and Recycling Law.”
According to published reports, the Philippines is the world’s third largest source of plastic pollution. Plastic wastes clog drainage systems and waterways contributing to more flooding and poison the environment. Plastic products do not degrade easily and its wastes can remain in the environment for thousands of years. Further studies stated that given the ubiquitous nature of plastics, most people unknowingly eat and inhale micro plastics.
“The most effective way to reduce human consumptions of micro plastics is to reduce the production and use of plastics,” Congresswoman Roman added.
Roman said the scope of this proposed law applies to manufacture, importation, sale and use of all single-use plastics in trade or commerce and business enterprises, as well as by retailers in the Philippines.
Single-use plastics refer to disposable plastic products which are commonly used for packaging and includes items such as grocery bags, food packaging containers, water bottles, stirrers and straws, cups, sachets, styrofoams/styros, and plastic cutlery.
Section 8 of Roman’s H.B. 0139 also pushes for the recycling of single-use plastics where the manufacturers will be obliged to properly recycle the single-use plastics they produce in a manner consistent of the existing laws, rules and regulations, and use of mechanism to ensure that no harmful chemicals or substances are released to the environment.
The implementation of Roman’s bill once enacted into law will be enforced through combined efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Finance, Department of Science and Technology, other concerned agencies and the local government units.
“Magsama-sama tayo sa pagsuporta sa Batas na ito. Magsimula tayo sa malilit na hakbang patungo sa isang ‘plastic-free Philippines,’” Roman concluded.