DENR wants single-use plastics taxed per piece

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Tuesday has called on lawmakers to tax single-use plastic bags by piece, and not by kilogram, saying the earlier approved proposal might only push manufacturer to produce thinner bags that would be discarded after one use.

Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said the department supports the proposal to tax plastic bags, but appealed to the Congress to rethink its understanding of plastic, some of which can be recycled and reused.

“Taxing by the kilo would be very dangerous, since it may promote the manufacturing of thinner bags,” he told a press briefing on Tuesday.

Last week, the House committee on ways and means approved a bill that would impose a P20 tax per kilo of single-use plastic bags beginning next year.

Lawmakers estimate that the proposed tax would generate some P4.8 billion on its first year of implementation and boost the government’s solid waste management programs.—Jhesset O. Enano