To help end flooding, let us stop our addiction to plastics

The weather forecast for this weekend is heavy rains in many parts of the country. And with rains, we see the same heartbreaking images — streets flooded, rivers clogged, homes submerged, and livelihoods ruined.

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We also see images of the common culprit behind many of these floods—plastic waste. Plastic bags, sachets, straws, and packaging waste that are improperly disposed of find their way into our drainage systems, esteros, and rivers. Over time, they block waterways, prevent water from flowing freely, and turn even a short downpour into a disaster.

The Philippines is already among the world’s worst contributors to ocean plastic pollution. But this isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a direct threat to our safety, our health, and our future.

We have enough laws on paper to address this problem. Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act has been around since 2000. More recently, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 compels big companies to take responsibility for their plastic packaging. Across the country, many local governments have passed ordinances banning single-use plastics such as plastic bags, straws, and styrofoam.