The EcoWaste Coalition has raised concerns over the use of single-use plastics, such as disposable flaglets, as decorations for the upcoming Feast of Sto. Niño in Manila. The group argues that these materials, often seen in the Pandacan and Tondo districts, contribute significantly to the city’s waste problem and are at odds with both local and international efforts to combat plastic pollution.
Ochie Tolentino, a zero waste campaigner for the coalition, highlighted the environmental impact of using plastic ‘labo’ and other single-use plastics for festive decorations. She pointed out that these items are typically discarded immediately after the celebrations, ending up in landfills. Tolentino questioned the sustainability of using such materials in faith-based events, suggesting they contradict the community’s efforts to manage waste effectively.
The criticism comes in the wake of a resolution passed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in July 2024, which supports the elimination of plastic pollution. This resolution is part of a broader set of ecological actions endorsed by the church, aligning with the principles laid out in Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si, which calls for ecological conversion and care for the environment.
The bishops’ commitment to these principles was further emphasized in a 2019 pastoral letter, which encouraged the faithful to reduce consumption and eliminate single-use plastics from their lives. Tolentino called on the public to prioritize environmental protection and public health in their religious celebrations, urging a shift towards more sustainable practices.