EcoWaste laments use of plastic fiesta buntings

MANILA, Philippines — Environmental watchdog EcoWaste Coalition lamented the unregulated practice of hanging banderitas or buntings made mostly of single-use plastics, amid the celebration of the Feast of Sto. Niño in Tondo and Pandacan, Manila yesterday.

“While we applaud some neighborhoods for opting not to join the wasteful bandwagon, we are saddened by the needless use of single-use plastic banderitas as citizens rejoice in honor of the Child Jesus unmindful of the plastic pollution crisis we are facing,” EcoWaste national coordinator Aileen Lucero said.

EcoWaste patrollers said they observed the use of plastic “labo,” sando bags and other plastic scraps in banderitas displayed in the streets of Pandacan and Tondo.

Among the places found extremely decorated with disposable banderitas were Kahilom and Narciso streets in Pandacan, as well as portions of Corcuera, Franco, Lakandula, Pavia, Perla, Madrid, Mejorada, Nicodemus, Pacheco, Pilapil, Sto. Cristo, Tioco and Trinidad Rizal streets in Tondo.

“These banderitas have no artistic, functional, historical or spiritual value. Worse, they contribute to the tons of garbage to be hauled after the occasion, consisting mostly of single-use plastics and other unsorted discards, including food waste,” Lucero said.

To address this perennial garbage problem, EcoWaste called on the local government of Manila and church officials to back a citywide ban on single-use plastic banderitas in all festivities.

The group also pushed for the implementation of Manila City Ordinance 8282, which bans the use of plastic bags for dry goods and regulating their use for wet goods.

The ordinance prohibits polystyrene plastic as containers for food, produce and other products.

EcoWaste pointed out that stricter enforcement of Ordinance 8282 would help in reducing the volume of garbage generated by the city of Manila, which is projected to increase from 418,507 metric tons last year to 421,772 metric tons in 2023, according to the National Solid Waste Management Commission.

Aside from banderitas, EcoWaste also questioned the need for “happy fiesta” plastic tarpaulins, which, the group said, “contribute to the street clutter and litter.”

Meanwhile, permits to carry firearms outside of residence in Manila for the Sto. Niño feast will remain suspended until today, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said.

Only members of the police, military and other law enforcement agencies performing official duties are allowed to carry firearms, the NCRPO said.