As the country observes National Zero Waste Month, Senator Loren Legarda reiterated her call for Filipinos to ditch the use of single-use plastics in favor of recyclable materials.
Legarda, author and principal sponsor of the Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, expressed hope more Filipinos will contribute to a more sustainable waste management cycle.
“The Philippines has been tagged as one of the top ocean polluters worldwide, primarily due to our dependence on single-use plastics,” Legarda noted.
“It is time to break free from this harmful practice by harnessing our ingenuity and resourcefulness to develop and promote reusable alternatives for our everyday lives,” she stressed.
Legarda has been a staunch advocate for environmental protection, has consistently pushed for the strict implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
The law primarily prohibits open burning of solid waste, introduces waste segregation at source for better disposal practices, and supports local government units (LGUs) in establishing ecological solid waste management programs.
The Philippines has been celebrating National Zero Waste Month every January since the late Pres. Benigno S. Aquino, III signed Proclamation No. 760, s. 2014.
The proclamation mandates all government agencies and instrumentalities to participate in endeavors related to the celebration.
Legarda said it is imperative that all government agencies take the lead in creating and helping to find innovative ways to reuse everyday products and reduce waste.
“With successful implementation, we can achieve our goal of transitioning to a circular economy by 2030,” she stressed.