PLASTIC pollution is a critical problem in the Philippines and, frankly, somewhat of a national embarrassment, as the country is recognized as one of the world's biggest sources of plastic pollution in the seas. To be sure, the government has made some efforts to address the problem, one good example being the Extended Producers' Responsibility (EPR) Act implemented last year, which requires large-scale producers of plastic products, either the products themselves or their packaging, to take steps to ensure plastic is recycled or disposed of safely. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that measures such as the EPR Act fall woefully short of what is needed to address the real threat of plastic pollution and that stronger action must be taken.