Pangilinan reiterates need to ban single-use plastic

The ban on the importation, manufacture, and use of single-use plastic is an urgent matter and should be done immediately, Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said over the weekend after Malacañang said it is eyeing such a ban.

"We appeal to the President to certify the bill as urgent. The world needs the ban on single-use plastic. And as the Philippines is one of the biggest producers of plastic waste, the world will benefit from such a ban," said Pangilinan.

At the start of the 18th Congress, Pangilinan filed Senate Bill 40 seeking to phase out single-use plastic products by prohibiting their importation, manufacture, and use in food establishments, stores, markets, and retailers.

The Single-Use Plastics Regulation and Management Bill proposes to ban the use of all single-use plastics starting one year after the effectivity of the measure and to penalize those who will not enforce it. Those who will re-use and recycle will receive an incentive.

"Ang agarang pagpasa ng Single-Use Plastics Regulation and Management Bill ay makakabuti kay Inang Kalikasan, sa kinabukasan, at sa ating mga anak (Passing the Single-Use Plastics Regulation and Management Bill ASAP is good for Mother Earth, the future, and our children)," Pangilinan said.