Lawmaker files bill on plastic bags use

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Pampanga Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr. joined the fight on the use of plastic bags as he introduced Resolution 783 in the House of Representatives recently.

House Resolution 783 is an act providing for the phase-out of plastic bags as packing materials of goods sold or disposed by sari-sari stores, market vendors, department stores, and similar establishments, prescribing penalties therefore, and for other purposes.

The bill proposes the phase-out of plastic bags, not as an answer, but as a practical contribution of our collective efforts to the many demands and needs to solve our environmental problems, according to the lawmaker, adding that “the measure is based on the concept of sacrificing some of our convenience for the sake of Mother Earth.”

Gonzales explained in the resolution that the recent flooding in many areas of the country, particularly Metro Manila, has again “highlighted the precarious balance and status of our environment.”

He said that “one does not have to go out and search for evidence of men’s neglect of the environment. The clogged ‘esteros’ in every corner of cities in Metro Manila and other urban areas will bear witness to this fact.”

In the bill, Gonzales noted that Section 16, Article 11 of the 1987 Constitution declares “the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”

“The use of plastics is one of the causes of ecological degradation, the same being non-biodegradable; the use of plastic bags as packing materials of goods sold by business establishments can be attributed as one main factor in the environmental problems we are facing,” he said.

The use of plastic bags as packing materials of goods sold by sari-sari stores, market vendors, department stores, and similar establishments shall be prohibited after the phase out period as determined by the resolution, two years after its effectivity.

After the phase-out period, only biodegradable plastics shall be permitted to be used. Other biodegradable materials may also be used as packing materials, as approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the bill said.

The rapid advances in technology, as shown by the creation of biodegradable plastics, will soften whatever increases in cost the enactment of this law will bring, said Gonzales.

Once approved violators of the act shall be fined P500 for the first offense; P700 for the second offense; and P1,000 plus suspension of the business permit for a period of 30 calendar days.

Gonzales said in the bill that the Department of Science and Technology is tasked with assisting plastic manufacturers in acquiring the appropriate technology required in the production of biodegradable plastic bags. (Jovi T. De Leon)

Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on September 27, 2010.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Pampanga Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr. joined the fight on the use of plastic bags as he introduced Resolution 783 in the House of Representatives recently.

House Resolution 783 is an act providing for the phase-out of plastic bags as packing materials of goods sold or disposed by sari-sari stores, market vendors, department stores, and similar establishments, prescribing penalties therefore, and for other purposes.

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The bill proposes the phase-out of plastic bags, not as an answer, but as a practical contribution of our collective efforts to the many demands and needs to solve our environmental problems, according to the lawmaker, adding that “the measure is based on the concept of sacrificing some of our convenience for the sake of Mother Earth.”

Gonzales explained in the resolution that the recent flooding in many areas of the country, particularly Metro Manila, has again “highlighted the precarious balance and status of our environment.”

He said that “one does not have to go out and search for evidence of men’s neglect of the environment. The clogged ‘esteros’ in every corner of cities in Metro Manila and other urban areas will bear witness to this fact.”

In the bill, Gonzales noted that Section 16, Article 11 of the 1987 Constitution declares “the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”

“The use of plastics is one of the causes of ecological degradation, the same being non-biodegradable; the use of plastic bags as packing materials of goods sold by business establishments can be attributed as one main factor in the environmental problems we are facing,” he said.

The use of plastic bags as packing materials of goods sold by sari-sari stores, market vendors, department stores, and similar establishments shall be prohibited after the phase out period as determined by the resolution, two years after its effectivity.

After the phase-out period, only biodegradable plastics shall be permitted to be used. Other biodegradable materials may also be used as packing materials, as approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the bill said.

The rapid advances in technology, as shown by the creation of biodegradable plastics, will soften whatever increases in cost the enactment of this law will bring, said Gonzales.

Once approved violators of the act shall be fined P500 for the first offense; P700 for the second offense; and P1,000 plus suspension of the business permit for a period of 30 calendar days.

Gonzales said in the bill that the Department of Science and Technology is tasked with assisting plastic manufacturers in acquiring the appropriate technology required in the production of biodegradable plastic bags. (Jovi T. De Leon)

Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on September 27, 2010.