Palace to public: Cut down on plastics use

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang urged the public yesterday to limit the use of plastics, one of the biggest contributors to environmental degradation.

The appeal came on the heels of a United Nations report naming the Philippines as one of the top five contributors of plastic waste in oceans.

The Palace, through presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, weighed in on efforts to save and protect the environment as the country joined the international community in the observance of Earth Hour last night.

“We therefore call on everyone to cut down the rampant use of plastics as we continue to aspire for a clean, safe and healthy environment,” Panelo said in a statement.

Part of the observance of Earth Hour is the switching off of lights – including in houses and business establishments – across the globe for one hour.

Panelo said the theme of this year’s Earth Hour is significant because it focuses on the need to cut plastics use.

“This year’s observance of Earth Hour focuses on the issue of single-use plastics, which is a major problem in the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) – through its local president – urged the government to review its policies on waste management and strictly enforce relevant laws.

“We should see how local government units should be complying with the Solid Waste Management Act,” said Joel Palma, WWF Philippine chapter president, on the sidelines of the Earth Hour 2019 launch at the Circuit Makati last night.

He said the government has “more than sufficient policies on the environment, oceans and pollution” that need stricter implementation.

He added that candidates should include waste reduction in their platform and make good their promise if they get elected.

While some local government units have passed ordinances on banning single-use plastic, Palma also called on the public “to respond and do away with single-use plastic.”

“Implementation (of single-use plastic ban) can get easier if we will be able to respond to that,” he said.

“If we just do away with single-use plastic, it can create a huge impact in a positive way,” he maintained.

He also cited a study by the United States-based non-profit group Ocean Conservatory last year, ranking the Philippines third among major contributors to plastic pollution. China ranked first, followed by Indonesia.  – With Ghio Ong