(Photo grabbed from DENR Facebook page)
MANILA – Various businesses and firms located in Bataan province have vowed to comply with a new law institutionalizing the extended producer responsibility (EPR) on plastic packaging waste.
In a press release issued on Friday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that a total of 25 large businesses in the province signed a Pledge of Commitment during the launching of the department’s Project TRANSFORM in Balanga City.
DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga lauded the companies for their commitment and support for the EPR implementation, as well as other programs and projects of the DENR.
During the event, Loyzaga emphasized the critical role played by the business sector and other stakeholders in the development and enforcement of environmental laws and policies.
“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,” Loyzaga 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 waste. The law’s implementing rules and regulations were signed by Loyzaga 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,” she said.
The companies that signed the commitment represent 93 percent of prospective large businesses that are covered by the EPR law in Bataan.
These 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.
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 the 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., 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. (PNA)
