Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 26) — A lawmaker has filed a bill seeking to provide cash aid and basic goods in exchange for recyclable items.
House Bill 9781 filed by Quezon City 5th District Rep. Alfred Vargas authorizes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Trade and Industry to establish the Incentivized Solid Waste Redemption System.
Under the proposed system, individuals and organizations could trade in non-hazardous and recyclable solid wastes “for rice, water, canned goods, basic household consumer items, or cash.”
“The DENR, DA, and DTI shall determine the reasonable and compliance-inducing exchange values for graduated weights or volumes of solid waste surrendered, provided that the minimum exchange value of one kilogram of non-hazardous and recyclable plastic waste is one kilogram of commercial quality rice or its cash equivalent, while for one kilogram of metallic, non-hazardous, recyclable waste is two kilograms of commercial quality rice or its cash equivalent,” a portion of the bill stated.
The proposal also includes the creation of a reporting system through which people can report the location of suspected hazardous wastes.
It should have a cash reward feature to “encourage the public to help government pinpoint and confirm the exact location of hazardous wastes,” according to the bill.
In filing the proposed law, Vargas argued that incentive programs on waste management have to “adapt to the needs of the new normal.”
