THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Sunday endorsed the initiative of the local government of Malay in Aklan province to ban single-use plastics in Boracay Island and the rest of the town.
Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and LGU Concerns Benny Antiporda welcomed the approval of Municipal Ordinance No. 386 in an effort to augment government rehabilitation efforts in the pollution-challenged island.
The measure prohibits the use of single-use or disposable plastic items by hotels, resorts, restaurants and establishments in the accommodation business. The Boracay Island was ordered closed to tourists until Oct. 26 to give way for its six-month rehabilitation.
Earlier, Secretary Roy Cimatu said the ban on single-use plastics would help ease the garbage problem and prevent further degradation of the island’s environment.
“We commend the local government of Malay for heeding the Secretary’s call by coming up with such ordinance. 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,” Antiporda said.
He called on the other local governments to follow the suit of Malay, saying such ban is a major boost for government efforts to fight plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on humans, wildlife, waterways and oceans, and the environment.
“The DENR is willing to provide Malay with any assistance in the implementation of this ban and all its other programs to manage solid waste,” he said.
“Malay can become a model not only for Aklan or the entire Panay Island, but also for other LGUs with ecotourism sites,” he added.