Solon calls for ‘all-out war’ vs. imported garbage

“It is time we declare our independence from imported garbage,” the Minadanaoan solon said (File photo: EcoWaste Coalition/website)

MANILA — A lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Wednesday called for an all-out war against imported garbage that has been flooding the country.

In a statement, Misamis Oriental 2nd District Rep. Juliette Uy said Filipinos have had enough of other countries exporting their wastes and garbage to the Philippines.

“It is time we declare our independence from imported garbage,” the Mindanaoan solon said.

She said a proposed bill she filed during the 17th Congress banning imported garbage is a “declaration of independence” from illegal dumping of wastes by other countries.

House Bill 9207, or the proposed Total Ban on the Import and Export of Waste Act, is a total ban and provides for zero exceptions.

“We do not want any garbage to be imported or exported through any of our international ports,” she said.

Uy said she will re-file the bill in the 18th Congress and will convince her colleagues to co-author the measure to ensure wide support and faster progress through the legislative pipeline.

The legislator said she will also file other bills on plastic waste, waste redemption, waste recovery, and the proper management of the country’s water and aquatic resources.

“This is an all-out war on waste because we want our country to be beautiful and prosperous,” Uy said.