PLASTIC BAN: A REGULATION TO OBSERVE

“Section 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthy ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.” That is what is stated in Article II of the highest law of the land, the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

There effective as well as the Presidential Decree No. 1152 or the “Philippine Environment Code” and Section 458 of the Local Government Code of 1991 stating “the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall protect the environment and impose appropriate penalties for acts which endangered the environment such as activities which result in pollution, destruction of rivers and lakes, or ecological imbalance.”

Throughout the years, since the beginning of its mass production in the 1940s, Filipinos have gained benefits from the use of plastics. It does not cost too much and is widely known for durability which makes life convenient. From the smallest sari-sari stores up to the biggest establishments, the absence of this synthetic material is almost impossible.

What creates the biggest problem is its disposal. As a nonbiodegradable product, too much of its consumption, while there is insufficiency in recycling, means too much of it ends up in inappropriate places such as landfills and oceans, to regulate the use of plastic and styrofoam materials for packaging in all business transactions within the City. It is mentioned that plastics can only be used for dry goods if supplied by customers while for wet goods only as primary packaging. A sanction for any violations of the act was also mentioned.

In a study conducted by MGK Martial, et. al. (2016) titled “Effectiveness in Implementation of implemented.

Other places in the Philippines such as Davao City, Aklan, Leyte, Masbate, and Bohol have taken part in the plastic ban.

Meanwhile, the capital city of Oriental Mindoro, Calapan City, in 2011, made known to the public the banning of plastics and styrofoams starting in July of the same year. Passed on April 29, 2011, the ordinance prohibits the “use and sale of non-biodegradable plastic bags and Styrofoam as bagging and packaging materials for dry and wet goods”. According to former Vice Mayor Jojo Perez in his statement about this regulation, it was a part of the program ‘Green Calapan’ of former Mayor Doy Leachon. Perez cited the pressing issue of waste disposal in the city and even emphasized the Batino Dumpsite which was overly filled and nearing closure during those times.

The question is: Is it still observed? How well then?

Now, the prohibition isn’t only during Fridays but from Fridays to Sundays. At least there is a development. However, the effectiveness of this ordinance is questionable. Plastics are still present on Fridays to Sundays. Some malls, big grocery stores, and supermarkets know no limits on plastic use as packaging. This may be the reason why small businesses also refuse to obey the ordinance. If “no plastic from Fridays to Sundays” is hard to maintain, how difficult it will be to make it a “no plastic everyday” rule?

Anti-Plastic Ordinance in Batangas City”, the indicators ‘the prohibition in the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam for dry goods and the usage of biodegradable materials such as recycled products’ and ‘all business establishments pack dry good products in biodegradable materials such as recycled

Courtesy of the said banning, twelve years ago, an activity called “no-plastic Sunday” was adopted in the city. It is meant to last for six months for businesses to get used to providing alternative packaging material before the full implementation of the ordinance in January 2012. According to a news article published by the Philippine Inquirer, this city of Calapan ordinance “encourages alternative packaging materials like bayong (bag made from pandan leaves),

The convenience plastics have brought has made it difficult to eliminate in people’s lives. People are rarely seen using eco-bags or any of those suggested alternatives. Is it because it costs more money? Or just because of some invalid justifications about switching to these alternatives?

Two years ago, plastic soft drinks straws and plastic coffee stirrers were included in the lists of nonenvironmentally acceptable products (NEAP) in the country. Supervising Undersecretary for Task Force Tayo ang Kalikasan (TAK) Benny Antiporda remarked that the DENR was more determined to pursue its initiatives concerning solid waste management through TAK. “Our ultimate goal is to ban the use of unnecessary single-use plastics in all cities and municipalities in the region. If we all work together, we can defeat the problem of plastic pollution and save communities and the next generation,” Antiporda said.

The overabundance of these materials is baggage to carry by communities and the government. Companies still produce plastics and continue to neglect to take the responsibility for non-biodegradable plastic pollution. Enough is enough for ironically proposed solutions on how to dispose of such materials. Sanctions stated on written ordinances or laws are not provided just to be ignored. If no one is punished, how can others be afraid to disobey?

The massive consumption of plastic seems hard to end. Will it still be possible that the use of this synthetic material stops being a first choice? Or will its use be a continued vice of businesses? Now that even the regulation of its use is not a piece of cake to implement, it will be a rough battle for the government to face it alone.

Participation and cooperation may be the best lubricants for its smooth execution. Local government units are expected to have deeper realizations and bigger efforts toward the serious implementation of any provisions regarding waste disposal. However, people, including businesses and manufacturers should count themselves as allies in a worldwide battle against improper waste disposal. No one should let this synthetic material wrap the