• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
A resolution enjoining all barangays in the City of Bacolod, in coordination with the Department of Public Services (DPS), to join in the global effort to beat plastic pollution by recovering all recyclable plastic wastes back to our circular economy by way of implementing strict segregation and collection at source and sustained operation of material recovery facilities at barangay level, was approved by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday.
The resolution authored by Councilor Claudio Puentevella said the Philippines is considered the third largest contributor of plastic waste worldwide, contributing to about 0.75 million metric tons of ocean plastic every year.
Dubbed as the “sachet economy,” the Philippines is notorious for irresponsible trash haulers and open dump sites that cause plastic to spill into the seas. (World Bank Group. 2021. Market Study for the Philippines: Plastics Circularity Opportunities and Barriers. East Asia and Pacific Region Marine Plastics Series), it said.
The resolution said June 5 is the 50th World Environment Day led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is being held annually since 1973.
The World Environment Day 2023 is a reminder that people’s actions on plastic pollution matters, World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world, it said.
The Implementing Rules and Regulations or IRR of RA 9003 Rule XI Section 1 states that, the barangays should be responsible for the collection, segregation, recycling of biodegradable, recyclable, compostable and reusable wastes. MRFs should be established in every barangay or cluster of barangays, the resolution said.
The barangay, being the frontline of the government, is further required under RA 9003 to develop an ecological solid waste management program, promote waste segregation, implement a segregated collection for biodegradable and non-biodegradable discards, and set up Materials Recovery Facilities, it said.
The ongoing de-clogging and dredging activities at various waterways in Bacolod city revealed the accumulation of plastics wastes as a result of indiscriminate throwing and dumping of plastic waste, it added.*
