By Rep. Loren Legarda
In 1988, I produced a documentary about the Pasig River and covered stories about the Tullahan River and Laguna Lake. Back then, I already said that the Pasig River was polluted and we needed an immediate rehabilitation for it. Fast forward to 2021, a study by The Ocean Cleanup identified 19 Philippine rivers among the world’s top 50 rivers that carry plastic waste into the oceans, with Pasig River as the top plastic polluter.
We do not need band-aid solutions. We need a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach. I urge all sectors and stakeholders to implement ecological solid waste management and environmental protection laws in order to reduce plastic waste in our rivers and bodies of water, as well as to support the transition towards a circular economy to reduce plastic wastes in our societal systems.
During my stint in the Senate, I strongly supported and sponsored the budget allocation for the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, filed the Laguna Lake Development Authority Act, and sought the adoption of the Integrated River System Management Approach. RA 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which I principally sponsored, laid the foundation for proper waste segregation, recycling, and disposal that could have prevented this problem from escalating. We need to practise our environmental laws within our own homes, communities, and workplaces. I also hope for the immediate passage of House Bill 9147 or the Single-Use Plastic Products Regulation Act in to help arrest the problem of plastic pollution.
This is a harsh reminder for us and our country that’s been blessed with nature’s bounty. We may have some of the best laws and policies in place to protect our environment, but if we will not correct our unsustainable behavior and practices, then our ecosystems and biodiversity will continue to degrade and even collapse. @cccphl @apatlima @icsc_ph @climaterealityph @oceana_ph @antoinettetaus @gabmejia
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