By ELLALYN V. RUIZ
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has lauded the initiative of the local government of Malay in Aklan to ban single-use plastics, especially in Boracay Island.
The Municipal Ordinance 386 prohibits the use of single-use or disposable plastic items by hotels, resorts, restaurants, and establishments in the accommodation business.
DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and LGU Concerns Benny Antiporda said the ordinance was a welcome move on the part of the Malay municipal government to augment government rehabilitation efforts in Boracay, which has been closed to tourists for six months until Oct. 26.
Earlier in June, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said a ban on single-use plastics would help ease the garbage problem on the world-famous island and prevent further degradation of its environment.
“We commend the LGU of Malay for heeding the Secretary’s call by coming up with such ordinance,” Antiporda said.
“Single-use plastics, particularly those used in packaging, have been identified as a contributing factor to Boracay’s mounting waste problem, not only on land but in surrounding waters,” he added.
Antiporda said the single-use plastic ban is a major boost to government efforts to fight plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on humans, wildlife, waterways and oceans, and the environment.
