By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Manila Rep. John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto has sought the use of recyclable materials for the packaging of consumer products.
The actor turned lawmaker filed House Bill 8657 mandating the use of recyclable and biodegradable materials in the manufacturing process of consumer goods.
"Despite the enactment of Republic Act 9003 or also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, the country is still burdened by the worsening problem on solid waste management," he laments.
"It is the belief of this representation that there is an urgent need for the government to further improve its efforts in curbing the alarming level of waste generation in the country," Nieto said.
House Bill 8657 also provides that any business or nonbusiness entity which shall undertake the effort of using recyclable and biodegradable materials for the packaging of consumer goods shall enjoy a tax deductibility privilege on its income tax to the extent of the proven cost of the recyclable or biodegrable material on its production process.
"It is the hope of the proposed measure that by introducing such practice, the trash generated will be significantly reduced," he said.
"This measure does not singlehandedly address the issue at hand, but it is surely among the different policy actions that can strengthen the promotion of environment-friendly practices," he added.
HB 8657 tasks the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations of the proposed Act.