Marawi City — In a bold move toward environmental sustainability, the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur, through its Sangguniang Panlalawigan, has taken a decisive step to curb plastic pollution by proposing the Plastic Free Ordinance of 2025. The measure, which aims to ban the use, sale, and distribution of single-use plastics, Styrofoam, disposable bento boxes, and other non-biodegradable waste materials, was the centerpiece of a public consultation held yesterday at Marawi City Hall.
Organized in partnership with the City Government of Marawi, the event gathered a diverse mix of stakeholders — provincial and city officials, barangay leaders, environmental officers, and community representatives — signaling a shared commitment to address one of the most pressing environmental issues of the province.
A United Call for Change
The program opened with an invocation by Former Board Member Abdulhamid Umpa Amerbitor and a welcome address from Councilor Mohammad Khalid M. Salic, Chair of Marawi’s Committee on Environment, who underscored the necessity of collective action.
Hon. Fahad Mimbantas Arimao, principal author of the ordinance and Chair of the Provincial Committee on Environment, laid out the scope of the ban, naming the prohibited items and highlighting their harmful impact on ecosystems. Co-Chair Hon. Ansari Usman Gandamra emphasized the long-term goal: to significantly reduce the province’s plastic footprint and create a healthier environment for future generations.
Forester Pili M. Papandayan, Head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), presented visual evidence of the devastating effects of plastic pollution on water systems, wildlife, and human health. Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid “Mujam” Raki-in Adiong lent strong political backing, urging that environmental change “must start within ourselves” and that legislation should reflect the province’s vision for a cleaner and more sustainable Lanao del Sur.
Other Sangguniang Panlalawigan members brought varied perspectives. Hon. Sharieffudin Tanog Lucman discussed the Clean As You Go (CLAYGO) policy and its phased enforcement; Hon. Omar-Ali M. Sharief offered a faith-based perspective on environmental stewardship; and BM Johayfa Daongan Mindalano Amerbitor called for stronger collaboration across all sectors.
The Challenge Beneath the Ideal
While the ordinance drew overwhelming support during the consultation, discussions quickly shifted to the practical hurdles of enforcement — foremost among them, the absence of readily available, affordable alternatives to single-use plastics.
For many small businesses, market vendors, and even hospitals, single-use plastics are still the cheapest, most accessible packaging option. Alternatives like biodegradable containers or reusable packaging either remain too expensive or are not supplied in bulk in the province. Without viable substitutes, there’s a risk that compliance could burden low-income entrepreneurs and households, potentially fostering resistance or even quiet non-compliance.
“Banning plastics is one thing,” one barangay official noted during the open forum, “but if we don’t provide accessible alternatives, it’s like telling people to walk without giving them shoes.”
This tension between environmental ideals and economic realities is not unique to Lanao del Sur. Across the Philippines, local governments that have passed similar ordinances have often faced backlash from affected sectors — especially in rural areas where supply chains for eco-friendly materials are underdeveloped.
Bridging the Gap
Stakeholders at the consultation proposed several measures to address the gap:
- Gradual Phase-Out: Implementing the ban in stages to allow suppliers and consumers time to adjust.
- Subsidized Alternatives: Partnering with manufacturers to make biodegradable and reusable packaging affordable.
- Public Education Campaigns: Ensuring communities understand the environmental and health benefits of reducing plastic waste.
- Local Enterprise Support: Encouraging local producers to innovate and supply alternatives.
Vice Governor Adiong echoed these sentiments, stressing that legislative action alone cannot solve the problem. “This must be a shared journey,” he said. “Government, private sector, and communities must work hand in hand, not just to enforce the ordinance but to make it truly workable.”
A Step Toward a Cleaner Lanao del Sur
As the public consultation closed, one thing became clear: the Plastic Free Ordinance of 2025 is more than just a legal measure — it’s an ambitious vision of a cleaner, healthier, and more responsible Lanao del Sur. Yet, the success of this initiative will hinge not on the words written in the ordinance, but on the province’s ability to navigate the delicate balance between environmental responsibility and everyday economic realities.
If the challenges are met with the same unity seen in Marawi’s City Hall yesterday, Lanao del Sur could well become a model for sustainable waste management in Mindanao — and beyond.