Proposed tax on plastics to benefit river cleanups

INCLUDING the excise tax on single-use plastics in the government's priority bills is a welcome development. That complements many other initiatives to curb pollution and recent efforts to rehabilitate waterways, particularly the Pasig River.

Just on Friday, the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, or Ledac, added five measures to the Common Legislative Agenda for the 19th Congress, including a tax bill on single-use plastics. That might not stir up excitement given how slow lawmakers have been working on the priority bills of the Marcos Jr. government. But things may be different this time, since that tax bill has been approved on third reading by the House of Representatives and is pending in the Senate. Once enacted, the tax could curb usage of single-use plastics by 25 percent and generate P6.5 billion in revenue in its first year of implementation, which hopefully will be 2024.

The new tax bill will also complement other initiatives to address the plastic pollution crisis in the country. The Philippines has been named as one of the largest contributors — some say the worst producer — of plastic waste in the world. Most of that ends up in the ocean, as well as in lakes and rivers.

Ironically, the Philippines has laws and programs that address the issue, including the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of Marine Litter that audaciously aims for zero waste in Philippine waters by 2040. Plus, Republic Act 11898, also known as the “Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022,” went into effect early this year. A government statement explained that the new law makes companies responsible for the proper and effective recovery, treatment, recycling or disposal of their products sold to consumers. EPR hopes to reduce the volume of waste generated and extend the life of plastics by adding value or purpose through upcycling or recycling.

Philippine ‘river warriors’ clean Manila’s rivers-The ‘river warriors,’ a group working to clear the glut of garbage floating or washed up along Manila’s notorious Pasig River. PHOTO BY: RENE H. DILAN

Pasig River

Once the tax bill on single-use plastics is passed and if the existing laws are implemented effectively, the Marcos government will take another step toward cleaning up the Pasig River. Obviously, the Philippines has many dirty rivers, but that one deserves priority because it cuts across the National Capital Region (NCR or Metro Manila). If harnessed correctly, the Pasig River can contribute to the economy and reduce poverty.

As said in previous editorials, the Pasig River should be developed as a waterway to help ease the traffic congestion that costs the country billions of pesos daily. Rehabilitation can also boost tourism by beautifying the urban landscape, similar to what Marikina City has done to a tributary of the Pasig River.

In recognition of the prospects mentioned here, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an executive order in July 2023 that created the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development. Last month, the council presented a master development plan to rehabilitate the Pasig River and maximize its economic potential by transforming its banks into people-centered parks and commercial hubs.

The masterplan, which has also gained the support of first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, aims to clean up the 25-kilometer stretch of the Pasig River, from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay. Parts of the banks will be developed into mixed-use commercial areas and public parks. The initial steps involve creating bicycle and jogging lanes that link Metro Manila with Rizal province, as well as relocating thousands of informal settlers.

Those informal settlers have been blamed for much of the pollution in the Pasig River that flows into Manila Bay. But to be fair, industries and other residential areas located along the river also share part of the blame. Obviously, the Philippines has many dirty rivers, but efforts to reduce pollution should be focused more on areas where the work can have a greater impact.

Lastly, the authorities should review the enforcement of existing laws, particularly on solid waste management, the EPR Act and other similar initiatives. Unless laws are effectively implemented, new measures like the proposed tax on single-use plastics might fall short of their lofty objectives to clean up the environment, contribute to economic growth and uplift the welfare of the urban poor.