Both the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the City Government of Puerto Princesa seek public support anew to minimize the use of single use plastic and packaging in an effort to rid ocean from pollution.
Speaking before the students and faculty members from different academic institutions in the city, government employees, and attendees, Vivian Soriano, Senior Ecosystems Management Specialist of the DENR-CENRO during the celebration of the Month of the Ocean held at SM City Puerto Princesa said that single use plastic bags has adverse effects to the wildlife and marine resources.
“Matindi ang effect sa ating karagatan, sa marine resources at sa marine wildlife. Hanggat maari ay wala tayong mga plastic cups, disposbable bottles, straw at iba pang mga single use dahil ito ay maraming effect sa ating marine wildlife. Ang plastic na nakakain ng ating mga isda, ibon at mga resources sa karagatan ay pwede silang mamatay. Kailangan nating unti-unting iwasan ang pagamit (ng single use plastic bags) kasi kailangan nating isalba ang ating inang kalikasan, lalo na ang ating karagatan,” she warned.
She lauded the recent passage of the city ordinance by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Puerto Princesa regulating the use of single-use plastic bags and packaging.
“Itong pagbabawal (ng paggamit) sa plastic bag ay isang magandang hakbang para ating unti-untiin ang mga establisemento. Ito ay magagawa natin at lilipat tayo sa mga eco-friendly bags and packaging,” she said.
Marsha Lita P. Ocampo of DENR-CENRO informed that this is the 20th year since the signing of the Presidential Proclamation No. 57 declaring the month of May as Month of the Ocean by then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada in 1999. She said that polluting the ocean and the marine resources directly affects humans, since we are consuming fish and other marine products.
“Ang mga samut saring buhay meron tayo ay dapat pangalagaan natin. Kaya ini-encourage natin ang mga tao na protektahan ang karagatan kasi yang mga marine debris ay tayo din po ang apektado kasi kumakain tayo ng isda. Ang (single use) plastic ay globally recognized na stressor sa ating marine and coastal environment. Ang marine and coastal resources ay marami syang ecosystem services na binibigay tulad ng pagkain, livelihood, recreation, socio-economic and socio-cultural well being,” she said.
The urged the public to minimize the use of the single use plastic bags as an ultimate solution and use eco-friendly bags and packaging instead, like baskets and bayong.
“Palayain natin ang karagatan from marine debris. Bumili ng magandang water bottles para matagal ang pag gamit. Pagbibili tayo ay huwag na nating ipabalot. Sa sarili natin ay mag pledge tayo na babawasan ang paggamit ng single use packaging at mga plastic,” she said.
Tutu Almonte, Assistant City ENRO, who represented the City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Atty. Carlo Gomez said that the best way to free our oceans and coastal areas from pollution is to start doing proper waste management at home.
“Paano natin maiiwasan ito? Sa bahay natin simulan natin, challenge ito. Linisin ang mga kalat. Gagawin natin sa mga tindahan, bitbit tayo ng mga lalagyan. Kinaikailangan na pagtulong tulungan natin ito, there is really a need for us to act together,” she said.
Melissa Macasaet, City Agriculturist explained that doing small and simple things for the environment will definitely make an impact. “Sana bawat isa sa inyo ay ilagay sa ating puso, at isipan at sa araw araw na gagawin natin. Ang araw araw na gagawin natin ay it will make a difference. Pahalagahan ang ating karagatan at magsisimula sa ating puso at isipan ang pagmamahal na ito,” she said.