‘SAVE BATIANO RIVER’: Iloilo City Hall Urged to Regulate Unused Plastics

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Volunteers from Greenpeace Iloilo City have urged the local government to enact an ordinance regulating the production of “virgin plastics” and initiating measures to combat plastic pollution.

“Greenpeace Iloilo Local Group, together with residents, calls for a structural framework through national policies or local ordinances that ends the production and use of virgin plastics,” the group said in a statement.

Virgin plastics are new, unused materials derived from raw resources such as petroleum or natural gas. Unlike recycled plastics, virgin plastics are produced through a process that involves extracting and refining fossil fuels.

The group emphasized that regulating virgin plastics would shift the responsibility for managing plastic waste away from communities and toward manufacturers.

Advocacy for Batiano River

Greenpeace issued the statement following its Para sa Ilog Batiano initiative on January 5, which promotes the sustainable rehabilitation of the 17.5-kilometer Batiano River.

The Batiano River originates in Barangay Santa Clara, Oton, Iloilo, and flows through Barangay Villa Alegre and the districts of Arevalo and Molo before emptying into the Iloilo Strait.

A waste audit conducted during the initiative revealed that single-use plastic bottles and discarded plastic household items are the primary pollutants clogging the river, causing frequent flooding during the rainy season.

“Plastic pollution is a critical issue that needs to be addressed to revive the river. Residents along Batiano River only play a role at the end of the plastic’s lifecycle,” Greenpeace said.

Efforts to Address Plastic Pollution

Based on its 2021-2029 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, among the priority development of the city government is the waterway greening along Batiano River, Rizal Creek, Dungon Creek, Ingore Creek, Mansaya Creek, Calajunan Creek and Budburan Creek.

In 2005, the Iloilo-Batiano River Development Council (IBRDC) was created to tackle environmental and developmental issues affecting the Iloilo-Batiano River system. The council also oversees the implementation of the Iloilo River Master Plan, aimed at enhancing the river’s ecological health and sustainability.

In 2018, under then-Mayor Jose Espinosa III, Iloilo City won the Galing Pook Award for the restoration of the Iloilo-Batiano River.

Existing Plastic Regulations

Iloilo City has implemented several ordinances addressing plastic waste.

Regulation Ordinance 2013-403 limits the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags in establishments such as supermarkets, restaurants, and department stores.

It encourages reusable bags made from biodegradable materials like rattan, cloth, and recycled paper.

In 2017, the city government pushed for the complete elimination of non-biodegradable plastic bags in businesses.

In 2020, Mayor Jerry Treñas signed Executive Order No. 043, banning unnecessary single-use plastic products in public parks.

Challenges in Managing Waste

Despite these efforts, Iloilo City continues to face challenges with plastic pollution. In 2023, the city generated approximately 400 tons of waste daily, with plastics accounting for 26% of the total.

Greenpeace and other advocacy groups are urging the local government to implement stronger measures to address this ongoing issue and protect waterways like the Batiano River.

Despite these efforts to curb the use of plastics, Iloilo City has faced significant challenges related to plastic pollution.

In 2023, the city generated approximately 400 tons of waste daily, with plastics constituting about 26% of this total.