After the Manila City Council passed on second reading a proposed ordinance banning the use of any form of plastic bag for dry goods, the plastic industry once again rang the alarm bells over its impact on bag manufacturers.
 
If passed, the law would regulate the use of plastic bags on wet goods and ban polystyrene or Styrofoam products. Upon third offense, the ordinance would cancel business licenses.
 
Councilors Jocelyn B. Dawis-Asuncion, Ma. Sheilah Lacuna-Pangan, Numero Lim, and Cristina Isip were the main co-sponsors of the proposed plastic ban in Manila.
 
No Consultation
 
According to Crispian Lao, former president of Philippine Plastics Industry Association Inc. (PPIA),  the proposed ban would have a negative impact on the operations of manufacturers.
 
"This was the first time I've heard about the ban. I'm surprised that the industry has not been consulted," Lao said.
 
"Manila is the center of trade. It's where you have Divisoria. A ban will surely affect the local plastic industry," he added.
 
Asked about their next move, the PPIA would have to first see the proposed law, Lao noted.
 
"We'd like to ask the City Council of Manila for an opportunity to submit a position paper," he said.
 
"We're not against the idea of regulating the industry. In fact, we are really hoping for a national law," according to the industry representative, who cited House Bill 4840.
 
HB 4840, or "An act regulating the production, importation, sale, provision, use, recovery, collection recycling, and disposal of plastic bags", was approved on Aug. 3, 2011, and submitted to the Senate. If passed, the bill will prohibit the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags throughout the country.
 
Total ban isn’t the answer
 
Moreover, Carlito Soon, PPIA director and board member of the Packaging Institute of the Philippines (PIP), said a total ban on plastic bags would not solve the problem.
 
"The problem isn't plastic but the lack of regulation", Soon said. "We have a beautifully crafted law on waste management, which I think, if implemented well would address the problem at hand," he added.
 
"A total ban on plastic bags won't solve the problem. It will also kill an industry behind 600,00 jobs," noted Soon.
 
Reducing environmental impact
 
While Dawis, who authored the Manila ordinance, admitted banning plastic bags would not solve environmental problems, saying the legislation would aid in curbing the problem.
 
"Banning plastic bags is not the salvation of the environment, but can be a way to reduce the environmental impact of human activities," Dawis said.  "If we can reduce the use of plastic then we can reduce the impact it is causing our environment," she added.
 
However, the councilor said success of the ordinance would depend on the performance of the city's executive branch.
 
"The present executive does not have a clear program on the protection of the environment. RA9003 has not been implemented," Dawis said.

"I am hoping that this ordinance will jumpstart something for the city," she added.
 
Marikina, Muntinlupa, Pasig, Valenzuela, and Las Piñas already banned the use of plastic bags, according to news reports.

However, a check with the city officials noted that Marikina has passed its local legislation, but not yet fully implemented.

 In the case of Valenzuela, Public Information Officer Ahna Mejia noted they have not approved the ordinance banning plastic bags, saying a proposal prohibiting or banning the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags is pending before Sangguniang Panglungsod.
 
"We are currently studying the possibility, but we have to take into consideration Valenzuela have companies manufacturing plastic bags," she said. — VS, GMA News

Erratum: Our earlier report cited that the City of  Valenzuela has already passed an ordinance banning plastic bags. Our sincere apology for the misleading information. — GMA News