TGP partylist rep files bill banning single-use plastics

MANILA, Philippines — Talino at Galing ng Pinoy (TGP) Partylist Rep. Jose “Bong” Teves Jr. has filed a measure seeking to prohibit single-use plastics for business entities and consumers.

Teves filed House Bill No. 4435, titled, “An Act Regulating and Further Prohibiting the Usage of Single-Use Plastic Products, Providing Penalties, Levies, and Incentives for Industries, Business Entities and Consumer thereof, and for Other Purposes.”

Under the measure, single-use plastics in stores, food establishments, and markets are banned.

The bill also highly encouraged the use of reusable materials such as eco-bags in groceries, markets, and other establishments.

The bill also said business entities will charge consumers for P8 for the manufacture or circulation of single-use plastics.

The bill also sought the prohibition of the importation of single-use plastics. The Tariff Commission and Bureau of Customs are tasked to collect “corresponding tariff specified under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the measure.”

Violators of the measure will face a fine of P120,000 for the first offense.

For the second offense, violators will face a fine of P250,000 and suspension of business permit for six months.

For the third offense, violators will face a fine of P550,000 and one-year cancelation of business permit while for fourth offense, violators will pay a fine of P1.2 million and will face suspension of business permit for five years.