The Department of Finance (DOF) is pushing for the imposition of an excise tax on single-use plastic bags to address the country’s high volume of mismanaged plastics.
The proposed tax, set at P100 per kilo with a 4 percent annual indexation, targets non-recyclable plastic bags such as ice bags and sando bags.
It is estimated to generate P31.52 billion in revenue from 2025 to 2028, allocated for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ solid waste management program.
The initiative aims to mitigate the Philippines’ significant contribution to global plastic pollution, with 750,000 metric tons entering the ocean annually.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto emphasized the government’s responsibility to raise awareness about the environmental impact of non-recyclable plastics.
DOF Undersecretary Karlo Fermin Adriano assured stakeholders that single-use plastics are not being singled out, citing similar measures implemented for tobacco, alcohol, and automobiles.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 26, 2024
