TWENTY-FIVE companies in Bataan province have committed to comply with a new law that institutionalized the extended producer responsibility (EPR) on plastic packaging waste.
Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga said the firms come from different industries such as manufacturing, food, construction, medical and hospital equipment, wholesale trade, retail, marketing and customer relations, transportation and retail trade.
The commitment was cemented by a ceremonial signing of the companies’ respective pledge to comply during the launch of DENR’s Project TRANSFORM (Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilient and Sustainable Communities) in Balanga City.
TRANSFORM aims to put together all the best practices from both government and the private sectors to deliver an inclusive, science-based and data-driven template that all stakeholders, partners, and LGU can use in fighting the accelerating climate emergency.
By signing the pledge, the companies committed to register their respective EPR programs and submit the necessary documentary requirements with the DENR-led National Solid Waste Management Commission until June 4 this year, in compliance with Republic Act 11898 or the EPR Act of 2022.
Among the signatories are Bahrain Fiberglass International Company Ltd., Bioteque Medical Philippines Inc., Bounty Fresh Food Inc., Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corp. Aqua Plant, Concrete Stone Corporation, DLX Bags Philippines Inc., Dunlop International (Philippines) Inc.
Others are Familyhealth and Beauty Corp., FBF Industrial Sales and Services, FBF Electric and Power Services Inc., GQ Horizon Manufacturing Corp., Integrated Meat & Poultry Processing Inc., Mitsumi Phils. Inc., Natcorp Career Growth and Manpower Services Inc., NLEX Corp., Orica Philippines Inc., Perpetual Prime Manufacturing Inc., Philcement Corporation, Puregold Price Club Inc., Qualitek-Delta Philippines Inc., San Miguel Foods Inc.-MPF Bataan, San Miguel Foods Inc., SM City Bataan, Vista Mall Bataan, and Tang Long Plastics (Philippines) Corp.
Apart from commending the companies for their commitment and support for the EPR implementation, as well as other programs and projects of the DENR, Loyzaga cited the critical roles played by the business sector and other stakeholders in the development and enforcement of environmental laws and policies, as part of the whole-of-society approach employed by the DENR under her leadership.
“The DENR advocates a whole-of-society approach for all investments and decision making, and the private and CSO (civil society organization) sectors will be able to complete a multi-sectoral partnership that is based on evidence. We are grateful to our implementing partners for their generous support through project TRANSFORM, to the EPR, and more,” the DENR chief said.
The EPR Act, which lapsed into law in July last year, requires large companies to adopt and implement policies for the proper management of plastic packaging wastes.
Loyzaga signed the law’s implementing rules and regulations last January.
This law is a response to the growing clamor to regulate single-use plastics in their production, importation, and disposal by industries. It advances circular economy, one that mitigates the effects of climate change and protects life-supporting ecosystems by avoiding or minimizing plastic pollution while maximizing the use of materials.
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