Pushes for passage of his own measure in Senate
(Eagle News)–Senator Kiko Pangilinan has lauded a House of Representatives’ panel approval of a measure taxing single-use plastics, as he pushed for the passage of his own measure pending before the Senate.
In a statement, Pangilinan said imposing the taxes, as specified in House Bill 178 or “An Act Imposing Excise Tax on Single-use Plastic Bags” passed by the House Ways and Means Committee was a “step in the right direction.”
HB 178 particularly imposes a P20 tax per kilogram of plastic bags.
House Ways and Means Committee chair Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, said this could generate P4.8 billion in revenues for the government within a year of its implementation.
“Nakita natin kung gano kalala ang patuloy na epekto ng pabago-bagong klima dulot ng global warming at climate change, lalo ngayon matapos ang pagsalanta ng Bagyong Tisoy sa Bicol at iba pang parte ng bansa,” Pangilinan said.
He said the passage of laws to reduce the effect of climate change should be expedited.
He reiterated his Senate Bill 40 or the “Single-Use Plastics Regulation and Management Act of 2019” which he filed in July.
The bill proposes a ban on the manufacture, importation, and use of all single-use plastics, particularly disposable plastics commonly used for plastic packaging and food items such as grocery bags, food packaging, films and bags, manufacturing water bottles, straws, stirrers, containers, Styrofoam/styros, cups, sachets, and plastic cutlery.
It also provides for incentives for the recycling of single-use plastics.
SB 40 is currently pending with the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change.
“Malacañang na mismo ang nagsabi na pinag-aaralan na nila ang pagbabawal sa single-use plastics kung kaya’t kailangan na talagang simulang dinggin ito sa Senado,” Pangilinan said.
