QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will advocate banning single-use plastic among its personnel as one of its efforts to uphold marine environmental protection.

PCG Spokesperson, CG Commodore Armando Balilo, shared the directive with the media during the National Maritime Week 2022 Press Conference spearheaded by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) today, 19 September 2022.

According to Balilo, PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Artemio M Abu shall direct fellow Coast Guardians to comply with the said order to lessen the negative impact of single-use plastic on the country's seas.

“We will impose penalties to our personnel who will disobey the directive. Kaya natin ito ipinapanukala para maging part ng conversations ng mga pasahero, shipping companies, at lahat ng stakeholders. Gusto natin sa Coast Guard na masimulan ito at mailagay sa isipan ng publiko para eventually, totally mawala na yung paggamit ng single-use plastic,” Balilo said.

The Coast Guard spokesperson said the directive will be formalized through a "Pledge of Commitment" that will be signed by CG Admiral Abu, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Hernan Fabia, and PPA Officer-in-Charge Francisquel Mancile on 25 September 2022 — the last day of the National Maritime Week 2022.

The PCG, MARINA, and PPA shall come together to encourage cooperation and interagency-based regulation among waste contributors and generators through various waste reductions and management techniques, starting from banning single-use plastic within their respective offices.

The single-use plastic items that will be banned include, but not limited to, plastic cups, drinking straws, plastic coffee stirrers, plastic utensils, sando bags, and plastic wrappers. (PCG/PIA-NCR)