NAME: PARAÑAQUE, RUSTINE JANE B.
CYS: BET-CT 2A
DATE: JANUARY 29, 2020
NEWSCLIP # 2:
ARTICLE:
DENR: No single-use plastic donations, please
Published January 28, 2020, 12:17 PM
By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Tuesday appealed to the public to avoid
donating single-use plastic cups, plates, and utensils to the evacuees of Taal Volcano eruption.
Through “Task Force Basura,” DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said all its regional offices nationwide are expected to
provide assistance in the proper solid waste management in the evacuation centers in Batangas, Cavite, and
Laguna.
Undersecretary for solid waste management Benny Antiporda said “there will be representatives per region that
will assist evacuees when it comes to environmental issues, particularly solid waste management.”
“You can expect us from the DENR that we will act on it as early as now, rather than be taken aback by the
mountains of garbage that will be produced because of this calamity in Taal Volcano,” he said.
In line with this, he appealed to the public to avoid donating single-use plastic cups, plates and utensils to
evacuees as these “environmentally unfriendly” items could create another problem.
“Plastic forks, spoons, cups, plates, and coffee stirrers may be convenient, but they are wreaking havoc on the
environment,” Antiporda pointed out.
He lamented that “calamity and the displacement of individuals make proper waste management the last and
least among the priorities of the people.”
Antiporda however assured that the DENR is willing to help affected local government units in dealing with the
garbage problem resulting from Taal Volcano’s activity.
SUMMARY: