Towards Osaka Blue Ocean Vision - G20 Implementation Framework for Actions on Marine Plastic Litter

Philippines

Actions and Progress on Marine Plastic Litter
Last Update : 2025/10/21

Policy Framework

National Action Plan

Name(Year):
● National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of Marine Litter (NPOA-ML)

Brief description:
The NPOA-ML, adopted through DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2021-10,1 aims to provide blueprint to enhance the country’s efforts in resource and waste management and to bring additional lens to marine litter issues and the control of waste leakage into bodies of water.

Name(Year):
● Philippine Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production (PAP4SCP) (2023)

Brief description:
The PAP4SCP provides the guiding framework to influence and steer sustainable behavior and practices, including circular economy (CE) approaches, in the country.
It aims to enhance waste management through proper waste segregation and recycling and move toward zero waste through the development and adoption of innovative technologies aligned with the principles of CE. It also promotes the implementation of choice-editing strategies to address plastic wastes (e.g., regulating single-use plastics). The PAP4SCP further espoused the passage of extended producer responsibility (EPR) to enhance product stewardship and minimize pollution at source, which was later on signed into law in 2022 as Republic Act No.11898. More information on the EPR Act is provided in the next section.

1:Available from: https://apidb.denr.gov.ph/infores/uploads/DMC-2021-10.pdf

Legal Framework

Name(Year):
● EPR Act of 2022 (RA No. 11898)

Brief description:
The EPR Act amended the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA No. 9003) to address plastic pollution by requiring large enterprises to take responsibility for managing the plastic packaging waste they generate. It mandates these enterprises to establish and implement EPR programs to recover a specified percentage of their plastic footprint at 20% in 2023 and gradually increasing to 80% by 2028. The law also outlines various strategies for waste recovery, including product redesign, recycling, and collection programs.

Name(Year):
● Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003).

Brief description:
The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 provides the legal framework for a comprehensive ecological solid waste management program in the Philippines. It aims to promote an integrated approach to waste management, emphasizing waste reduction, segregation, composting, recycling, reuse, recovery, and environmentally sound disposal. The Act also addresses the protection of groundwater from pollution and supports research and development programs for improved solid waste management and resource conservation techniques.

Name(Year):
● Marine Pollution Decree of 1976 (Presidential Decree 979)

Brief description:
The Marine Pollution Decree of 1976 is a national policy aimed to prevent and control the pollution of seas from the dumping of wastes and other matter which create hazards to human health, harm living resources and marine life, damage amenities, or interfere with the legitimate uses of the sea within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines.

Name(Year):
● Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (RA 9275)

Brief description:
The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 aims to protect the country’s water bodies from land-based pollution sources (industries and commercial establishments, agriculture and community/household activities). It provides for a comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all the stakeholders. Section 27 prohibits dumping into sea waters of solid waste as defined under RA No. 9003.

■ In preparation
Name:
● Single-Use Plastic Products Regulation Bill (House Bill 26)

Brief description:
The Bill aims to address the country’s high rate of plastic waste leakage and plastics' impacts on the environment, public health, and climate change through a nationwide phaseout of single-use plastics and implementation of producers' responsibility schemes.

Name(Year):
● Single-Use Plastic Bags Tax Bill (House Bill 4102)

Brief description:
The Bill seeks to impose an excise tax of PhP100 for every kilogram of single-use plastics removed from the place of production or released from custody of the Bureau of Customs.

Indicators and/or Targets

■ Others:
Plastic product recovery indicators: Percentage of plastic product footprint recovered increased (from the PDP 2023-2028 Results Matrix Chapter 2)2

Targets (if any):

  • 2023 – 20 percent
  • 2024 – 40 percent
  • 2025 – 50 percent
  • 2026 – 60 percent
  • 2027 – 70 percent
  • 2028 – 80 percent

Brief description:
For Sub-section 2.3 (Targets and Indicators), we suggest coordinating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as they are best positioned to provide accurate and comprehensive information on indicators related to marine litter. However, the NPOA-ML mentions that "a monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and verification (MERV) system shall be developed by the lead and cooperating agencies, including an elaboration on a results matrix with specific short-, medium and long-term targets; key performance indicators; means of verification, and performance-based evaluation and reporting of actual results".

2:Available from: https://neda.gov.ph/pdp-2023-2028-results-matrices/

Technical Standards, Guidelines and Methodologies

Name:
Guidelines for the Conduct of Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) on Municipal Solid Wastes

Brief Description:
The Guidelines, which was adopted through National Solid Waste Management Council (NSWMC) Resolution No. 13 (s. 2020) serves as a standard and methodology for the conduct of WACS that shall be adopted in the development of LGUs’ 10-year solid waste management plans.

Name:
Guidelines on the Phasing out of Non-Environmentally Acceptable (NEA) Products and Packaging Materials

Brief Description:
Pursuant to Resolution No. 19 (s. 2009), the NSWMC adopted the Guidelines on Phasing out of Non-Environmentally Acceptable (NEA) Products and Packaging Materials, pursuant to RA 9003 which provides that the prohibition of NEA products to be supported by available information and scientific studies.

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Measures

Measures across Value Chain
Actions for encouraging sustainable / circular product design (example: improved durability, reparability, recyclability, reduction of material use per product…etc.) Yes

Specific Measures:
The EPR law outlines a range of programs that obliged enterprises must undertake. These encompass adopting reusable packaging, incorporating recycled materials into packaging, establishing product refilling systems, formulating reduction rate plans, conducting informative campaigns, and affixing appropriate labels to promote waste recovery and responsible disposal.

Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives, recycled materials at production stage. Yes

Specific Measures: Banning on the use of Single-use plastic products
 
Brief Description:
Some Local Government Units (LGUs) have initiatives and have ordinances on the Banning of use of Single-use plastic products.
 
As of 2021, there are 532 ordinances on the banning/regulation of Single-use plastic products.

Steps taken towards restricting microplastics in products. Yes

Specific Measures:
Targeted Products
■ Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
 
Brief Description:
Bills have been proposed for both in the Senate and Congress for the banning of plastic microbeads such as Senate Bill No. 2135 and House Bill No. 8120.

Reduce single-use plastic (shopping bags, straws etc.) by regulations or voluntary measures (such as ban, levy, others) Yes

Brief Description:
NSWMC Resolution No. 1428 series of 2021
 
NSWMC Resolution No. 1428, Series of 2021, issued by the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), officially declares plastic soft drink straws and plastic coffee stirrers as Non-Environmentally Acceptable Products (NEAP). This declaration aligns with the mandates of Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which requires the NSWMC to identify and phase out products that are harmful to the environment.
 
The resolution aims to reduce plastic pollution by targeting these specific single-use plastics, which are commonly found in waste streams and pose significant environmental challenges. By classifying plastic straws and stirrers as NEAP, the resolution sets the stage for their eventual phase-out, encouraging the adoption of more sustainable alternatives.

Introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Yes

Specific Measures: Republic Act 11898: EPR Act of 2022

Brief Description

Section 12 of the DAO 2023-02 provides that the EPR programs required to be submitted by Obliged Enterprises may include the activities and strategies related to reduction of Non-Environment Friendly Packaging Products which includes the adoption of reusable packaging products or packaging design to improve their reusability, recyclability or retrievability.
 
Changes may not be seen yet as the EPR law instituted a target by phases

Improve waste management and recycling system Yes

Specific Measures: Strict Enforcement of RA 9003 or The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000
 
The Department is continuously and strictly enforcing the provisions of RA 9003. Specifically on proper waste segregation, collection and disposal.

  • 590 LGUs has access to proper waste disposal.
Promoting plastic waste re-use, recycling and recovery opportunities Yes

Specific Measures:
The objective of the EPR law is to establish a phase-in recovery programs that will achieve plastic neutrality. It sets targets for the recovery of plastic product footprint generated during the immediately preceding year.
Install capturing trap/filter on drainage/river Yes

Specific Measures: Provision of Trash Traps Into the Rivers
 
The Department provided support for the installation of trash traps to the tributaries of Pasig, Tullahan, Meycauayan, and Pampanga river to prevent waste from going to the ocean.
Conduct clean-up activities in rivers/ wetlands/ beaches/ coasts/ coral reefs/ sea floor, involving local communities involving local communities Yes

Specific Measures: Coastal Clean-up
 
The country together with the LGUs regularly conducts coastal clean-ups.

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Issue-specific Measures
＜1＞ Abandoned, Lost and Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG)
Taken/to be taken National Level Action and/or Community Level Action on Clean sea initiatives including ghost net retrieval, ocean-bound plastics etc. Yes

Specific Measures:

  • Physical retrieval activities are undertaken in some areas.
Taken actions for preventing abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) being generated. Yes

Specific Measures:

  • Marking regulations on specific fishing gears.
  • Fisheries Administrative Order no. 236-1, s. 2012
Created/creating collection/recycling mechanism for ALDFG Yes

Specific Measures:

  • As provided under the accepted Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA).
＜2＞ Port Waste Reception
For waste management in ports, please provide details regarding their solid waste management practices/facilities including:
Whether there is an applicable legal framework Yes

Brief Description:

  • Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Administrative Order No. 16-95 “Rules and Regulations on the Prevention/Control of Oil, Garbage and Sewage Waste through the Use of Reception Facilities/Collection of Vessels Refuse”
  • AO No. 02-2003 “Implementing Guidelines on MARPOL 73/78 Requirement for Shore Reception Facilities (SRF)”
  • PPA AO No. 008-2018 “Interim Guidelines on the Issuance of Permit to Operate (PTO) for Shore Reception Facilities (SRF) Waste Disposal Service Provider”
The institution(s) responsible for (or playing a central role in, if voluntary action) managing the waste from ships? (example: port management authority, fishers' association...etc.) Yes

Brief Description:
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), through the Marine Environmental Protection Command, in line with the MARPOL Annex V, regularly monitors port reception facilities for proper waste discharge records.
 
For ports under the PPA jurisdiction, PPA-accredited SRF providers collect and dispose the ship-generated wastes (as per PPA AO 02-2003).

Whether ports possess waste reception facilities/systems to handle solid waste from ships, the volume of waste collected and the percentage of ports with waste reception facilities? Yes

Brief Description:
PPA-accredited SRF providers have their own waste management plans for the PPA ports they are servicing. These SRF providers collect the ship-generated wastes and transfer them to Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs, either their own/partner LGUs) and to sanitary landfills.
 
Volume of Waste Collected:
Volume of solid waste collected across all ports: 40,480.63m3 in CY 2024.
 
Percentage of Ports with Waste Reception Facilities:
As of December 2024, there are a total of 19 PPA-accredited SRF providers with POA-specific PTO.

The handling procedures for each distinct waste stream once onshore. Yes

Brief Description:
PPA AO No. 02-2003 “Implementing Guidelines on MARPOL 73/78 Requirement for Shore Reception Facilities (SRF)” and PPA AO No. 008-2018 “Interim Guidelines on the Issuance of Permit to Operate (PTO) for Shore Reception Facilities (SRF) Waste Disposal Service Provider” are being followed for oily waste/noxious liquid substance (NLS) and garbage that are being collected at the PPA ports.

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Partnership and Innovation
Boost multi-stakeholder involvement and awareness-raising Yes

Specific Measures: Coalition of Solid Waste Management Providers (CSWMP)
The CSWMP is a group of private SLF operators that will help LGUs in establishing proper disposal facilities and introduce innovative solutions.

Specific Measures: In the implementation of the EPR Law,partnership with LGUs, communities, and the informal waste sectors are encouraged.
 
Several obliged enterprises forged agreements with the local government units to harness complementation of targets specified in RA 9003 and RA 11898
 
Specific Measures: Through the HOCCI Project supported by the UN Habitat a Marine Litter Learning Kit: A Facilitator’s Guide was developed.
 
Brief Description:
Composed 10 experiential learning activities, the learning kit aims to engage facilitators and learners to raise awareness on marine litter and its impacts on communities and wildlife and empower learners to take action on marine litter as individuals in their homes and communities.
This guide is designed for educators and facilitators who organize environmental education programs that focus on marine litter.

Encourage/ Incentivize action by private sector companies to reduce/ sustainably manage their plastic waste. Yes

Specific Measures: The EPR Act provides for fiscal incentives to encourage private entities, including obliged enterprises, producer responsibility organizations, and non-government organizations (NGOs), to:

  1. Develop and undertake effective solid waste management; and
  2. Establish and implement EPR Programs towards plastic neutrality through efficient recovery and diversion schemes, and reduced production, importation, supply, and use of plastic packaging.
Encourage public awareness on MPL issues through formal education system and/or curriculum for -
Promote innovative solutions through Research & Development (e.g., subsidy program, investment fund etc.) -
Monitoring, Data Management, Understanding Flow of Plastics/MPL
Conduct Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of plastic products. What are the challenges if LCA is not conducted? Yes

Scope: ■ National
 
Brief Description:
The National Solid Waste Management Commission in coordination with DOST is conducting an LCA on several plastic products such plastic cutleries, sachets, etc.

Conduct Material Flow Analysis (MFA) on plastics. What are the challenges if MFA is not conducted? No

Brief Description:
Instead of an MFA, waste flow and mass balance were conducted in 2019 for a study on Short Lived Climate Pollutants I the waste Sector. This was done with support from e-Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES).
 
Challenges (if applicable):

  1. Data Availability and reliability
  2. Limited Technical Capacity
  3. Difficulty in Tracking Materials handled by the informal waste sector, despite their large contribution to recycling
  4. E-commerce and small-scale enterprise introduce new, often undocumented material flows
  5. Geographic and Logistical barriers
  6. Funding and Resource Constraints
Conduct monitoring / estimation / scientific research on leakage of plastics/microplastics to the natural environment and/or flow of ocean surface.
What are the challenges if these actions are not conducted? 		Yes

Specific Measures:
■ Established a Monitoring/Reporting Program/Mechanism
■ Regularly Conduct Monitoring/Estimation/Scientific Research
■ Conduct Monitoring/Scientific Research

Scope: ■ Macro Plastics ■ Microplastics (<5mm)
■（Others: rivers, soils, air etc.）
Brief Description:
Monitoring activities will be conducted after the beta-testing and finalization of harmonized manual for macro and micro litter. Data generated from this initiative will enable establishment of definitive baseline data for the Philippines which is crucial in crafting/ strengthening of policies related management of marine litter.
 
Challenges (if applicable):

  • Manpower and funding for the implementation of activities.
  • Harmonization of related initiatives from other National Government Agencies and research institutions.
  • Limited access to equipment for microplastic characterization, specifically the unavailability of specialized analytical instruments such as Raman and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometers in the EMB Central Office Laboratory, which are essential for the accurate identification, quantification, and validation of microplastics, as well as for the development of guideline values for both water and air quality.
International Collaboration
Participate in international cooperation through international organizations, multi-national groups, etc. Yes

Specific Measures:
Aside from G20, the Philippines is a Member Country of COBSEA, ASEAN and APEC-OFWG that discusses different cooperation in addressing marine litter issues.
Support target region by your international cooperation initiatives/projects: South, Central and Southeast Asia -

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Challenges

■ Recycling System Improvement

Specific Challenges:
Training/education, segregation (waste should be segregated to recyclable/non-recyclable first before recycling).

■ Proper Waste Management System (including lack of local capacity)
Specific Challenges:
Scarcity of infrastructure for collection and disposal in some parts of the country.

■ Data Collection Related to Waste in General
Specific Challenges:
Implementation of segregation before collection

■ Data Collection Related to Marine Plastic Litter
Specific Challenges:
National marine litter baselining is among the strategies identified in the Philippines’ National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of Marine Litter (NPOA-ML). Under this strategy, a National Research Framework and Program for the Monitoring, and Assessment of Marine Litter (NRFP-ML) will be developed to harmonize monitoring and assessment of marine litter in the country to address concerns on comparability, transparency, and ease of data gathering.
 
In addition, a database on plastic litter (macro and microplastics in different habitats) is being developed to consolidate all the data/information from different monitoring and research activities throughout the Philippines. These data can be used in the formulation of policies and ordinances on management of plastic litter specifically by localities and their respective marine environment.

■ Lack of Financial Incentives for Waste Treatment in General

■ Lack of Financial Incentives for Technology Development

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Best Practices

■ International Initiative

Description:
Plastic 3Rs Pilot Projects in the City of Manila
Communities ventured into plastic 3Rs social enterprises. Such as the case of the City of Manila
 
Barangay 412 Women Waste Warriors (3Ws) recently inaugurated their Plastic 3Rs Training Center, which provides a space for women of Barangay 412 to produce products that could serve as alternatives to plastics such as eco-bags, reusable cloth diapers, and sanitary pads.
 
Meanwhile, Tagumpay 830 Zero Waste Association (TEZWA) opened its Community Junkshop at Barangay 830. The facility and services of the community junkshop serve as the backbone of TEZWA’s green social enterprise program. This includes the newly renovated barangay MRF, sorting and bailing stations, and customized waste collection and transport vehicles.
 
Project in partnership with UN-Habitat Philippines and the LGU of Manila

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Futher Information

PlastiCount Pilipinas, a DOST-PCIEERD funded project, aims to make the public aware of the effects of plastics, especially in the marine environment. In addition, it wants to amplify the interest relevant to plastics and microplastics research, which can aid in creating evidence-based policy decisions on waste management. It has developed the Guidelines for Quantifying Macroplastics in the Marine Environment and Plastics Litter Imaging Protocol as Data Gathering for AI-based Counting. Likewise, its database on plastic litter data in the Philippines can be viewed on https://www.plasticount.ph/index.php/c_home/map

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Contact Details

Name: Jacqueline A. Caancan
Position: Director
Division: Office of the Director
Organization: DENR-EMB
Email: od@emb.gov.ph

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