EARLY this month a dead whale that washed up in Mindanao was discovered to have 40 kilograms of plastic bags inside its stomach. In ingested to death, among others, 16 rice sacks as well as multiple shopping bags. This boosts the contention of the environmental group Greenpeace that the Philippines is among the worst polluters of plastic in our oceans.
According to Greenpeace, the Philippines contributed 1.88 million tons of “mismanaged plastic waste” each year, with China and Indonesia polluting the most.
Our ocean is home to millions of species of marine plants and animals. It is also the main source of livelihood of our fisherfolk communities whom we rely for fresh bounty of seafood. It is such a shame that we are treating our oceans as if our lives do not depend on it.
It is only appropriate that we protect the very environment which we have relied so heavily on for food, water, shelter, and other basic needs. We have the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. National and local authorities should enforce it. This law intends to mainstream effective waste management practices — such as segregation of garbage at source, segregated transportation, processing, treatment, and proper disposal of solid waste — into our daily consciousness.
But while all local government units are mandated to have a solid waste management plan, the private sector and citizens must also undertake such initiatives. That’s because aside from the strict LGU enforcement of the law, greater participation in ecological solid waste management is the key. We are all called to pursue efforts that would support this cause. Private companies, especially, could look into greener alternatives to retail plastic packaging, as well as other environmental sustainability projects.
We must correct misconceptions and wrong practices and educate our people on how to properly protect and take care of the environment. From segregation and recycling in workplaces to conducting coastal clean-ups, we all can do more.
