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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Support for ban on single-use plastics gains ground in House

Support for ban on single-use plastics gains ground in House

Published Dec 8, 2019 12:00 am
By Charissa Luci-Atienza  Efforts to prohibit the production, importation, sale, provision and use of single-use plastics have gained ground in the House of Representatives after two more House leaders, including Deputy Speaker and Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, also sought a nationwide single-use plastic ban. (Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN) (Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN) ACT-CIS partylist Rep. Eric Yap, and Duterte jointly filed House Bill No. 5623 to ban the use of single-use plastics nationwide to eliminate plastic pollution in the country. "Single use plastics include sachets, sando bags, straws, stirrers, water and soda bottles, among others. These do not disintegrate in any person's lifetime yet the consumption of each person in a single day is plentiful and it is alarming. In cases where single use plastic does disintegrate, it is almost always not to full extent because it only transforms as a microplastic, a health hazard to all," they said in their bill's explanatory note. "It is high time that the nationwide ban on the use of single use plastic be mandated. The ban on single use plastic should be the stepping stone on the ban of plastics as a whole as it is detrimental to the environment and society," they stressed. HB 5623 calls for the implementation of a nationwide ban of all single-use plastics within one year from the effectivity of the proposed "Nationwide Single-Use Plastic Ban Act. Covered by the bill are schools, supermarkets, shops, hotels, establishments, government offices, and industries. The bill slaps penalties against establishments using single-use plastics after the given time period. First-time violators shall face a fine of P50,000. While, a fine amounting to P100,000 and suspension of the business permits and registration for six months shall be slapped against second-time offenders. For third offense, a fine of P200,000 and the one-year suspension business permits and registration shall await violators. HB 5623 prohibits the production of single-use plastics after the given time period. The following penalties shall apply: P100,000 fine for the first offense; P250,000 fine and suspension of business permits and registrations for one and half years for the second offense; and P350,000 fine and cancellation of business permits and registrations. The bill also seeks to penalize the importation of single-use plastics by companies. For first-time offenders, a fine of P200,000 and two-year suspension of business permits and registrations shall be meted. After the suspension is lifted, the company shall be blacklisted by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) from trading for six months. Second-time violators shall face a fine of P400,000 and the cancellation of business permits and registrations. Under the bill, tax incentives shall be provided to companies which are willing to invest in plastic recycling equipment or in manufacturing of eco-friendly alternatives. Business in the recycling sector shall be given access to financial, infrastructural, technical, and knowledge support from the government, it said. The bill calls for the creation of a multi-stakeholder Committee that would develop and formulate the guidelines and appropriate mechanism for the transition program and nationwide ban of single-use plastics. Sitting as members of the Committee are the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) , Bureau of Customs (BoC), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), local government units ; and representatives from academe, industries, and civil society. The funding for the implementation of the proposed Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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