House OK’s bill taxing single-use plastics on 2nd reading
THE HOUSE of Representatives passed on second reading a bill that will impose a P20 per kilogram excise tax on single-use plastic bags during its regular session on Wednesday.
Under House Bill 9171 or the Plastic Bag Tax Act, the excise tax will be imposed on plastic bags “removed from the place of production or released from the custody of the Bureau of Customs.”
The bill aims to encourage the use of environment-friendly bags in place of plastic bags to mitigate the country’s problem on plastic waste.
During the House session on Tuesday, the bill’s sponsor, Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita B. Suansing cited a survey done in Dec. 2020 which showed the plastic pollution found in Pasig River.
She further said the bill could generate an annual revenue of P4.8 billion, which will be used for solid waste management projects of local governments. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago
