MANILA - Department of Environment and Natural Resources Sec. Ramon Paje said he is looking forward to a Metro Manila-wide ban on plastics soon, noting more local government units already started the ground work of preparing ordinances prohibiting such non-biodegradable materials in their respective areas, a government press release said.

"LGUs with pending ordinances on the matter are Valenzuela City, Caloocan City, Parañaque City, Makati City, Manila, San Juan, Marikina and Malabon while Pateros, Navotas and Taguig are in the process of drafting respective documents," he said.

He lauded Muntinlupa City, Las Piñas, Pasig City, Mandaluyong City and Quezon City for instituting the ban.

Paje  said he believes the ban will help address pollution in dying Manila Bay and other water bodies in Metro Manila. Plastic products are among garbage commonly recovered in such water bodies, he noted, the press release said.

Environment watchdog Greenpeace Philippines agrees, reporting results from the November 2010 waste audit conducted at Manila Bay show plastics comprise 75.50 percent of the discarded trash.

Greenpeace said it conducted the audit with Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, EcoWaste Coalition and other partners.

Supreme Court earlier ordered DENR and other agencies to clean-up Manila Bay to improve its water quality.

"We're required to bring Manila Bay's water quality from Class D to Class SB which is suitable for swimming," Paje said.

Paje reiterated the call to stop indiscriminate garbage dumping so Manila Bay, its tributaries and other water bodies can be less polluted.

Pollution in Manila Bay is such that some 2,700 truckloads of garbage were recovered there during clean-up activities last year, he said.*PNA

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