MS. PATRIXIA SANTOS
Miss Earth Philippines – Air 2020
Juris Doctor, University of the Philippines
· Department of Health LHIVeFree Campaign Ambassadress
· Mutya ng Ibalong 2008, City Government of Legazpi
· Miss Kaogma 2014, Provincial Government of Camarines Sur
· Miss Bicolandia 2009, City Government of Naga
· Mutya ng Magayon 2009, Provincial Government of Albay
· Official Candidate – Binibining Pilipinas 2010,
https://www.facebook.com/patrixiasantos/
Instagram: @patrixiasantosx | Mobile: 0917-729-2437
MISS EARTH PHILIPPINES-AIR CALLS FOR IATF, LGU POLICIES ON PLASTICS, COVID-19 WASTE DISPOSAL
As an environment advocate, I ask the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to approve specific measures on single-use plastics, non-biodegradables, and disposal of solid waste during these times of community quarantine because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I also humbly ask all the Mayors and the various Sangguniang Panlungsod of Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao to adopt and enforce ordinances banning single-use plastics, and put in place COVID-19 waste disposal protocols for homes, barangays, and workplaces.
Seven out of 17 Metro Manila LGUs already have plastic bans in place via ordinances. Metro Manileños must convince the other LGUs to do the same.
A Metro Manila-wide ban on plastics would be a major victory in the fight against single-use plastics. This effort can be replicated in other major urban centers.
We have all seen how relief goods were distributed with single use plastics and styro packs.
Those disposable face masks end up as part of our solid waste. The massive production of cloth masks and foam masks create "retaso" waste.
With community quarantine came increased and more frequent use of plastic bottles containing water, rubbing alcohol, and hand sanitizers.
This has added to the volume of trash generated by households, pushing some Filipinos to burn their garbage to clean their surroundings, causing respiratory problems for their families and neighbors coping with COVID-19 and the pandemic quarantine. (END)
References:
ESQUIRE https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/news/metro-manila-cities-banned-plastic-a00293-20200107
MANILA STANDARD https://www.manilastandard.net/lgu/ncr/314319/para-aque-to-ban-single-use-plastic-starting-in-june.html
CNN PHILIPPINES https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/12/1/quezon-city-plastic-waste-joy-belmonte.html
CNN PHILIPPINES https://www.cnn.ph/news/2019/12/2/panelo-duterte-plastic-lgu.html
INQUIRER https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1232604/unnecessary-single-use-plastic-products-banned-in-govt-offices
DENR https://emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2020-NSWMC-RESO-NO.-1363-SERIES-OF-2020-SINGLE-USE-PLASTICS.pdf
https://news.mikeligalig.com
