Time to Clean Up! in 60th episode of ‘Stories for a Better Normal’ Series

MANILA, 31 August 2021 —Representatives from the public and private sectors will gather virtually to promote the regulation of single-use plastics as well as the strict implementation of ecological solid waste management on the 60th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic, “Time to Clean Up!” The episode is organized in celebration of the National Clean Up Month.

The online conversation, conceptualized and hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 2 September 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.

Joining the online conversation are Mr. Vincent Alon, Head of Solid Waste Management Research & Training Division of the local government of Muntinlupa City; Mr. Saar Herman, Chief Technology Officer of Green Antz Builders, Inc.; and Ms. Mharee Lynn Guillena of the National Clean Up Day Coalition.
The month of September is declared as the National Clean-Up Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 244, while the Presidential Proclamation No. 470 designates the 3rd Saturday of September, 18 September, as National Clean-Up Day, both of which act as a campaign to encourage communities to be responsive in cleaning and protecting the environment.
The Philippines is known for its rich marine ecosystems but is also one of the major sources of plastic trash in the world, contributing almost three million metric tons of plastic wastes and 500,000 metric tons of plastic waste leakage per year.

Single-use plastic does not only pose pollution problems, its production and incineration contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, hence, to climate change.

According to the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Filipinos use 59.7 billion pieces of sachets, 17.5 billion pieces of shopping bags, 16.5 billion pieces of plastic labo bag, and 1.1 billion diapers yearly.

The COVID-19 pandemic has even magnified the problem on single-use plastics as people needed to ensure safety standards that will minimize contamination and further spread of the virus. This has led to utilizing easily disposable items, such as those used for food and other deliveries.

The upcoming episode will feature local government and private sector initiatives to help reduce single-use plastics and promote ways on how to prevent plastic pollution in everyday life, following the passage of the House Bill 9147 or the Single-use Plastic Products Regulation Act in the third and final reading in the House of Representatives. The episode is also a way to urgently call for the passage of its counterpart measure in the Senate.

As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, “Stories for a Better Normal” aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.

This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation. ###