REP. Vanessa C. Aumentado (2nd dist) dealt with the proposed laws, particularly total prohibition of solid waste from other countries, during the committee meeting she presided over in the House of Representatives (HoR).
The recent HoR Ecology committee meeting chaired by Aumentado started deliberating on the proposed House Bill No. 6267, “An Act Establishing a Total Ban on the Importation of Wastes, Providing Means for its Enforcement, Appropriations, and for Other Purposes, filed by Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas.
If approved, the legislative measure aims to totally ban the wastes from other countries to avoid harm on the environment and prevent public health.
She added that similar, if not, related legislative proposals for a law have also been tackled during the committee gathering recently.
Congw. Aumentado also filed HB No 4281, An Act Providing for the Comprehensive Management of Hazardous Waste, a.k.a. as Hazardous Waste management Act and HB No. 6341- An Act Strengthening the Environmental Management Bureau to be known as the “National Ecological Management Bureau” Defining its Powers, Functions, and Responsibilities, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes.
Other related measures like HB No. 2959- An Act Providing for the Comprehensive Management of Hazardous Waste filed by Rep. Linabelle Villarica and HB No. 4881- An Act Establishing an Electronics Donation and Recycling Program all over the Country by Rep. Howard Guinto were also undertaken.
It is said that the country observes National Zero Waste Month this January.
Senator Loren Legarda stood firm in her call for a stronger national resolve to confront the country’s mounting waste crisis.
“Zero Waste initiative is a national imperative. We must move beyond awareness into stronger, decisive action. Every Filipino has a responsibility, and every institution must rise to the challenge of safeguarding our environment and future generations,” she said.
She said that the country ranks 27th among 50 countries generating the most municipal solid wastes at 14.6 million tons yearly basd on World Bank’s 2025 global database.
“Plastic waste comprised a significant portion, with experts warning that escalating waste volumes threaten public health, urban resilience, and the country’s climate adaptation efforts,” she said. (rvo)
