Philippines named top contributing country to ocean plastic pollution via rivers

According to a study by a Dutch nonprofit called The Ocean Cleanup, the Philippines is the largest contributing country to the plastic waste that reaches the ocean via rivers.

The Philippines is home to 466 rivers out of the 1,656 rivers that accounted for nearly 80% of plastic inputs to the ocean and 28% of all rivers responsible for ocean plastic pollution. The 27-kilometer Pasig River, which flows through the capital region, was identified as the most polluted by plastics.

In 2019, President Duterte abolished the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, which was tasked to ensure the rehabilitation of Pasig River to its “historically pristine condition conducive to transport, recreation, and tourism.”

Previous studies found that the Yangtze River in China, the third-longest in the world, was the highest plastic emitting river. It was ranked only 64th in this study.

The following Philippine rivers are among the top 50 major contributors to ocean plastic pollution listed in the study:

1. Tullahan
2. Meycauayan
3. Pampanga
4. Libmanan
5. Rio de Grande de Mindanao
6. Agno
7. Agusan
8. Parañaque
9. Iloilo
10. Imus
11. Zapote
12. Cagayan de Oro
13. Davao
14. Malaking Tubig
15. Tambo, Pasay
16. Jalaur
17. Cagayan
18. Hamulauon

Previous studies identified the largest rivers in the world as the top contributors to marine plastic pollution but this study identified small and medium-sized rivers that flow through coastal cities in developing nations as the top contributors.

“Coastal cities associated with urban drainage and paved surfaces presented the highest emission probabilities, particularly in regions with high precipitation rates.”

The Philippines was frequently listed among the top contributors to ocean plastic pollution along with China, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Following the news, Malacañang called the ranking of Pasig River a “badge of dishonor” that could prompt “radical” actions from the government to rehabilitate Pasig River.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) also stated that the findings of the study raised “extreme concern” on the issue of mismanaged plastic waste in the country.

“The study supports the call of the commission for urgent efforts to solve the plastic crisis by implementing measures to regulate and in turn, halt the production of unnecessary plastics-made straws and stirrers, spoon and fork, and plastic labo, among others,” said the CCC.

The House of Representatives recently approved the second reading of a bill that seeks to regulate the production, importation, sale, use, and disposal of single-use plastic products. At the Senate, counterpart measures are still pending at the committee level.

In February, after 20 years, the National Solid Waste Management Commission added plastic soft drink straws and coffee stirrers to the list of non-environmentally acceptable products.

SOURCE: Phil Star