Adopting Zero Waste Lifestyle: Peculiarities over Public Norms

By: Lia Pacunana, Chelsy Perez, Althea Silvino

It is basically a way of life that improves our
For many years, there are citizens in the
discipline in product consumption and waste
Philippines who oath to make a change in our
management, through ways such as
environment. From simple recycling that has
been taught to us since our childhood to having maximizing reusable containers, therefore,
a disciplined lifestyle where sustainability is avoiding the use of plastic and the increase in
present in our daily life routines. garbage. It may be as simple as it may sound
Last October 2018, the buzzing news about the but it takes great determination and discipline
opening of the newly improved Boracay Last year,
in order there this
to carry haveout.been a number of eco-
reached the people, not just the Filipinos but friendly products that popped up in social
tourists as well. Since, due to the garbage media, which appealed to the present
scattered around the shoreline as well as the generation because of its aesthetic look. For
streets, it underwent rehabilitation last April instance, the overused plastic utensils now
2018 to bring back its captivating beauty that have a more sustainable alternative: the
continuously lures tourists into revisiting its bamboo and metal utensils. This lifestyle
splendor. This is the government’s attempt involves practicing the use of less trash while
prove that Boracay really is the “most switching to using materials that are eco-
prestigious tourist spot” in our country. friendly
Despite thus, contributing
the possible aim of to being
the betterment
a zero-waste of
Subsequently, another issue arose amidst the citizen, it is quite expensive and mostly favors
recent talks about the Manila Bay. Due to the the rich. Due to the high cost of living in the
enormous mountain of trash, thousands of Philippines, not everyone is capable of investing
volunteers helped in cleaning the Manila Bay in the sustainable and alternative eco-friendly
last January. It was once the Port of Manila and products being marketed nationwide. With that
facilitated commerce and trade between the being said, the heavy labor and high cost of the
Philippines and its neighboring countries. Sadly materials used in packaging are only some of
it is being engulfed with mountains of trash However,
the factors it is
thatobservable
make thethat companies
products take
expensive.
being thrown by our fellow Filipinos. This certain advantage of this kind of opportunity to sell
issue served as an eye-opener to the Filipinos their product at a higher price, considering that
and to our government as well wherein they people seem to look past it and focus on its
Through these kinds
finally launched of campaigns
the Clean-Up Drive.setWith
by our
the
government officials, it makes us realize who the aesthetic appeal when purchasing the product
joining of hands of thousands of volunteers (Sisilana, 2017). In the Philippines, most
severity of our improper waste disposal habits
that constantly give rise to environmental Filipinos are minimum wage earners, who make
the food and education of their families a
problems. Which in return reminds us of how
these actions can gravely affect the priority above all else.
While the rich can afford to go to work riding a
environment we are moving on. To counter bike, the poor have to suffer hours of commute
these phenomena, sustainable eco-friendly in the polluted area (Picard, 2019). Hence,
products
Despite the aregood
being sold bybrought
intentions differentuponbusiness
these being an eco-friendly citizen is the least priority
products, it still has negative effects on our of the lower class Filipinos, making the idea of
environment. Thus, having to adopt the zero- becoming an environmentally- friendly country
waste lifestyle is expensive and unattainable difficult to achieve. They are more concerned
due to the people’s lack of discipline as well as with getting a job to pay for their families’
the limited time left to save the planet. Adopting rather
expenses this kind thanofsaving
lifestyletheisplanet.
unachievable,
for it requires discipline, a trait that most
One of the downsides of being a conscious in
people find extremely difficult to integrate. With
spending as a consumer is that it requires you
the growing trend of “zero-waste lifestyle” here
to be in a high cost of living. Some people are in the Philippines, there are still countless of
consistent with this kind of lifestyle but others Filipinos who
One observable factor is the way Filipinos Thearen’t that persistent
increasing number of in organizations
walking from
seem to reactoverlookdifferently.
certain Due rulestoand theregulations
family on this
that is path.aroundThus,
the using
world, reusable
specificallybags
in theor Philippines,
situation here in the with
associated Philippines, it is not Disregarding
the environment. a containers and is a plastic-free sustainable
sign of cooperation that products
everyone is holding
surprise forallmost of the people to not follow
the visuals and the numerous reminders on a regular on to. Filipinos are activelyone
basis
Hence, might be a tough for
contributing to the
sustainablegiven,
lifestyle this is mostly because
people don’t seem to observe the simple Filipinos. Aligned with the Filipino folklore, “Juan
betterment of our environment. Save Philippine
there are arules
lot of of
Filipinos who cannot
cleanliness. Apart afford
from to Tamad”,
that, lack of in Seas
which is people are too lazy
an environmental to make that focuses
organization
buy these alternatives.
discipline comes However,from living
the a disregard
“zero- ofan the
effort toonchange
preserving the Philippines’it.coastal
or at least accept It is and marine
society towards the government
waste” lifestyle aims to reduce the trash we (Pepino, hard
2017). for them to grasp the need for alteration,
resources. They are a good example to which their
produce and As send
a result, peoplethrough
to landfills, do notreusing
follow even therefore,
the sticking to
advocates canoldlookhabits and withthere are a lot
at. Fortunately,
simplest rules imposed
the trash we are able to lessen what needs to by the officials “normal”
because things that are apparently harmful
more active organizations in the country to who oath
they tend to rely on their pride, that they know to save the earth from complete destruction. What
better. On the other hand, not everyone is matters today is the joining of hands of everyone
 If there will be no strict implementation of these Regardless of the factors mentioned, it is
rules to the citizens, the more they are likely to possible to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle through
be disobedient. Learning self-control and nationwide and worldwide cooperation and
entering a new kind of lifestyle is troublesome teamwork. Sustainable products may be costly,
for some people, which results in choosing to but it is a small sacrifice we can do to help
stay within their comfort zones. There might be preserve our home. It might feel heavy on the
nothing wrong with staying inside your comfort pocket at first, but eventually you will realize
zone however, with what the environment is that it does more good to you than it seems to.
currently experiencing everyone should at least Buying reusable utensils help the environment
work hand in hand. by minimizing
Engaging yourself the to trash
adapt we theconsume
zero-waste every
singlerequires
lifestyle day. At thea lotsame time, you
of research, forpurchase
instance,the
theproduct
products itself
andand avoid buying
materials to bethe usedpackaging
and
wherethat to
adds getup them.
to its cost
Beinganddisciplined
trash. Therefore,
in a it
is better
lifestyle to spend
starts now and
with being invest on something
knowledgeable about
youbenefit
theBefore cananything
use itfor brings,
a else,
long time,
not since
being just you’ll
aware to ofearn
our it
your
environment,
surroundings butand also in our
what’s lives. Although,
happening within our
achieving
society is thisonelifestyle fully is a things
of the important long process,
we should
making it inconvenient
establish. Self-awareness and opens
difficultourtoeyes
keepon upthe
with. Thebehind
truth responsibilities
the pollutionthat and
go hand
climatein hand
change
withwethearenew lifestyleexperiencing.
currently may become From a hindrance
then on,
Today, everyone is restricted to the time limit in in practicing
achieving the long term goal
self-discipline would of besaving
our thenext
saving the environment because of its current move, as well as adapting the new lifestyle, one
situation. According to scientists, time is step at a time. We must start with ourselves
already running out and it is up to us to begin first, ignoring the judgements, in order to stand
to change our ways to protect our environment out
Ourand inspire
time to other
savepeoplethe toplanet
do the same.
and the
and prevent further destruction (Imster, 2017). environment is numbered ー this should be our
There have been 15,000 scientists from 184 motivation to act the soonest time possible
countries who have signed a letter concerning before it is too late. Even the smallest of
the environment. (Imster, 2017). There are actions, like using reusable containers, greatly
countless ways where simple actions greatly helps to improve our environment. If every
Individually, we create small
affect the environment changes that
and everyone playswe a person in the world starts doing these small
often do not realize, which may either have a
actions, it can create a big impact to our Earth
positive or negative effect on our environment.
more than we know. As the famous phrase
You may be one of the few who are saving the
goes, “Don’t wait. The time will never be just
environment by practicing being eco-friendly or
right,” so we better move fast and take action
you might be one of the people who do not
to help preserve our planet, because the “right
seem to care how much their simple actions, In conclusion, the aim of having a zero-waste
like not observing CLAYGO (Clean As You Go), lifestyle is unattainable, since we are living in a
greatly affect the planet. Every step that we world where having a high cost of living is
take, with the use of eco-friendly products, present, it is clear how people cannot easily
towards our desired goal shows results that learn to be disciplined in such a small period of
truly contributes to the greater good. Despite time. A little help may push a person, but true
having active environmentalists in the country, change starts within ourselves. No matter who
there is still quite a number of Filipinos who are or what the push factor may be, if people do
rather dismissive in the goal of saving the not take it seriously, it would be impossible to
environment. It is observable in certain parts of do. It is still inevitable that a lot of people would
the country, especially in Manila, how bad our not be able to dedicate their lives into this kind
The Detrimental Cages
indifference can of Tainted
get. Innocence
Some -- keisha
Filipinos lack of lifestyle, given our economic state. Given this
etiquette when in public toilets, especially men, kind of situation, people should be the ones to
as they often urinate at the side of the streets. start a change in accordance with what they
can contribute to the environment thus,
Karanasan sa Pagsulat- tiff

Kawalan ng Kamalayan: Ang Hindi Pagkilala sa Tunay na Katauhan - kYna

The Detrimental Cages of Tainted Innocence

According to Dave Pelzer, the author of A Child Called It, “childhood should be carefree, playing in the
sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul.” Twelve years old is not an ideal age for children
to be imprisoned. These children are not criminals, but rather victims of their innocence of world
explorations. This points out that the freedom of juvenility should be obtained and not be neglected.
One’s innocence is more valuable than a pot of gold contradicts with the idea of lowering criminal
liability to the age of 12. According to Gaea Katreena Cabico, a, “The house of representatives approved
on second reading the bill that seeks to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility in the country
after only two days of plenary deliberations.” Stated under the dubious House Bill (HB) 8858, a child aged
12 years old who commits a serious crime would be confined at Bahay Pag-asa — a facility that offers
rehabilitation and intervention to children who committed such. These crimes consists mostly of murder,
infanticide, kidnapping, serious illegal detention, rape, or any crime that violated the Comprehensive
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 that may lead to more than 12 years of imprisonment. The scope limits by
disciplining and reforming children without the idea of punishment, also to protect them and avoid
alliance with criminal syndicates. Even with good intentions, the approval of HB 8858 into a law should
not take place because of the harmful psychological effects to the child, the lack of evidence to support
the need to lower the age for criminal responsibility, and the fact that it contradicts with existing
Philippine and international laws.

Contrary to what majority of the Congress believe in by passing HB 8858, there are a number of
consequences regarding lowering the age for criminal liability. Years of scientific research strongly
oppose the decision made by the House in recommending the minimum age for juvenile delinquency to
be lowered at 12 years old. Scientists believe that the part of the brain responsible for rational decision-
making will not fully develop until the person reaches his or her 25th year. Specifically, the prefrontal
cortex of the brain is responsible for the cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision making, and
moderating social behavior of a person (Dahlitz, 2019). These abilities that are mostly involved in
criminal behavior will make early and middle adolescents weak and hasty with their decisions. One
factor can also be related to its peers which at this point, it is believed that adolescents are receptive to
their fellow. They crave for belongingness, making their choices reflect on what they believe will be
approved by others.

To further understand the scientific factors involved, the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC)
says that children tend to think emotionally, not rationally, to the point where they tend to feel more
rather than to think. Even though they can distinguish right from wrong, there will be tendencies in
which teens look past the long-term consequences of what they are doing and act based upon their
emotions (Tomacruz, 2019). Therefore, it is unreasonable to place young children in a position where
they can get sent to a court when they cannot understand their decisions well. As said by Leyritana, “To
place such a young person, into the hands of the criminal justice system further curtails his or her future
prospects, and pushes them further towards a negative life trajectory.”
Lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 years of age will not help in decreasing the
number of crime rates in the country. "There is a lack of evidence and data that children are responsible
for the increase in crime rates committed in the Philippines. Lowering the age of criminal responsibility
will not deter adult offenders from abusing children to commit crimes," said Lotta Sylwander, a
representative of United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Philippines. The Philippine National Police
(PNP) data shows that from the year 2002-2015, almost 98% of all the crimes were committed by adults
while the children only committed two percent of those crimes. This means that the adults are still the
ones who inflict crimes not the children. As mentioned by Maria Regina Hechanova, president of the
Psychological Association of the Philippines, “…why not go after the syndicates, the adults, not the
children who do not know any better and are vulnerable?” Those adults who coerce children to commit
crimes should be the ones to be punished since they are the reason why there are juvenile delinquents.
From the year 2003 to 2011, the records of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) showed that
most of the arrested minors who violate Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
of 2002 were found to have been used by drug syndicates as pushers (Roxas, 2018). Making the children
suffer instead of those adults who use them as accessories to the crime will only increase the confidence
of adult criminals to commit crimes over and over again. This will only worsen the situation as young
children who have not yet fully developed their capacity to know the consequences of their actions, will
be labeled as criminals which they should not be (Tomacruz, 2019).

Countries who lowered the age of child’s criminal liability are mostly the one who has a higher rate of
crimes committed in a month or so in a year. Studies show that the country of Thailand, one of Asia’s
most popular holiday destinations, has been rated as one of the top 20 dangerous countries to visit
(“Thailand among top 20”, 2017). Thailand is known for its majestic destinations like temples, and islands
that have various resorts for tourists to visit. But above all these satisfactions, crimes are at a high rate in
which safety is the number one priority for tourists. They lowered the age of a child’s criminal liability to
seven for they believe that these crimes are caused by children, but these are often committed by adults
and not juveniles (Hays, 2008). Another country experiencing this kind of issue is Malaysia. It ranked as
the number one in South East Asia for highest crime rate (Lee, n.d.). Its child criminal liability was
changed from the age of seven to the age of ten. Lastly, India who also lowered their child criminal
liability (seven years old) failed to prove that children are one of the contributors as their crime rate even
heightened after this implementation. “The committee found that there would not be a significant risk
to public safety with this change. It noted that there were about 150 children in the seven-to-nine age
group arrested between 2014 and 2016. They comprised only about two to four percent of the total
number of juveniles - those aged from seven to 15 years – arrested each year” (Vijayan, 2018).

Another reason for the disapproval of HB 8858 or the proposal to adjust the criminal age liability in the
Philippines into a law is because it contradicts existing laws on protecting children. Since the country
ratified the United Nation on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC) in 1990, it commits to uphold and
prioritize the rights of the children in every law that they craft (Tomacruz, 2019). According to United
Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the UN CRC is the most accepted children’s
rights treaty in history (Tomacruz, 2019). Regardless of this engagement, the Senate and the House of
Representatives still insist to change the criminal age liability from 18 years old to 12 years old, a move
that is squarely against the welfare of children. This hasty decision moved several fields such as: medical,
economics, human rights and education.

This said proposal does not only deny the UN CRC but also counters its existing code which is the
Republic Act No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act (JJWC). As said by Sanchez, “JJWC is a system
dealing with juveniles at risk and in conflict with the law that administer child-appropriate proceedings
including programs and services for prevention, diversion, rehabilitation, reintegration and aftercare to
ensure their normal growth and development”. It has commonly been assumed that the full and proper
implementation of the JJWC will help the children and the country instead of lowering the age of
criminal responsibility. According to Jackielou Bagadiong, a Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council policy
and research officer in an interview, putting children in jail is putting them in “schools of crime.” “Prison
is considered to be the ‘breeding ground for crime’ which prisoners can learn new ‘tricks of the trade’
that will make them even more violent,” she said.

Even with the alarming effects and consequences of passing a law to lower the age for criminal
responsibility, numerous claims have been raised saying that a crime is a crime no matter the age.
Government officials such as the likes of President Rodrigo Duterte have expressed their opinions saying
that “the Filipino youth should accept responsibility for their actions and be subjected to government
intervention programs.” He believes that by lowering the age for criminal liability, it will also lower the
chances of children being used by syndicates to commit their crimes for them. However, government
officials should first look on why these Children In Conflict with the Law (CICL) result to crimes. They
must look beyond the crime and actually solve one of the biggest issues in the country that made them
commit the crime in the first place: poverty. The Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) reported that most CICL cases have come from poor families and harsh environments that
hardened their personalities. These children are most likely to have stopped schooling with nothing to
eat, nothing to sleep on. According to Mary Jane Paundog, a social worker from DSWD, that given the
situation of the children, it is very hard to find options on what to do to survive. She says that at the end
of the day, these ‘criminals’ are only starting to grow up. They long for things a child needs in growing up:
love, care, and affection.

In a world where crimes are committed daily, lowering the minimum age of criminal liability will not
address a solution to juvenile delinquency because it will punish children who have not yet reached
brain maturity. It has been evident in other countries and our country that the adults have a higher
criminal rate than the children. If the proposed bill has been approved, this would encourage the adults
to use the children to perpetrate more crimes. This would also expose them to an environment of
criminals which will make them more likely to live with it. Moreover, larger efforts to enforce laws that
prosecute adults that constrain children to be involved in a criminal behavior should be done. It is the
policy of the State to make sure that children shall be educated to accept responsibility for his or her
words and deeds. It is the government’s role to protect and rehabilitate juvenile offenders through
restorative measures. Instead of agreeing to House Bill 8858, also known as lowering the minimum age
of criminal responsibility from 15 to 12 years old, the government should improve the justice system
particularly concerning the juvenile delinquents. They should focus on rehabilitation rather than
penalization and help in educating the youth.

SOURCES

1 Dahlitz, M. (2017). Prefrontal Cortex. Retrieved from:

https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.com/prefrontal-cortex/

2 Hays, J. (2008). Crime in Thailand: Rape, Murder, Youth Crime, Human Trafficking, and Criminals High
on Drugs. Retrieved from http://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/

Thailand/sub5_8f/entry-3280.html?
fbclid=IwAR2tCGIJbcsMWnQmcAQlm8AuuhS1ypvNYzgIHtG2lbMoqmF9C-pNvCqZfsk

3 Lee, H. (n.d.). Malaysia #1 In Southeast Asia For Crime. Retrieved from:

https://my.theasianparent.com/malaysia-crime-rate/

4 Nonato, V. F., & Enano, J. O. (2016). PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News. Retrieved
from https://www.pressreader.com/

5 Roxas, P. A. (2018). Go after syndicates, not children used by criminals - Pangilinan. Retrieved from
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/970309/breaking-news-francis-pangilinan-ronald-dela-rosa-

Juvenile-justice-and-welfare-act-of-2006-bato-dela-rosa-children-crime-syndicates

6 Sambalud, M. D. (2018, October 08). 'Lower age of criminal liability doesn't equate lower crimes'.
Retrieved from http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/lower-age-of-criminal-liability-

doesnt-equate-lower-crimes/

7 Samenow, S. (2011). Do Prison Really Make Offenders Worse? Retrieved from:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inside-the-criminal-mind/201104/do-prisons-really-make-
offenders-worse

8 Sanchez, J. (n.d). Overview of Philippine Juvenile Justice and Welfare. Retrieved from:
https://www.unafei.or.jp/publications/pdf/RS_No101/No101_17_IP_Philippines.pdf

9 Sylwander, L. (n.d.). Lowering the age of criminal responsibility is against child rights: UNICEF. Retrieved
from https://www.unicef.org/philippines/media_28068.html

10 “Thailand among top 20.” (2017). Thailand ‘among top 20 most dangerous countries’ to visit.
Retrieved from: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30317678

11 Tomacruz, S. (2019). Lower criminal age of responsibility? Fully implement Juvenile Justice law first.
Retrieved from:

https://www.rappler.com/nation/210291-fully-implement-juvenile-justice-law-first-before-lowering-
criminal-age-responsibility
12 Tomacruz, S. (2019). Why experts strongly oppose lowering the age of criminal responsibility.
Retrieved from:

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/222628-reason-experts-strongly-opposing-lowering-
minimum-age-criminal-responsibility

13 Vijayan, K.C. (2018). Raising minimum age of criminal responsibility from 7 to 10. Retrieved from
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/raising-minimum-age-of-criminal-responsibility-

from-7-to-10?fbclid=IwAR3wHgkSK62lrKcCZdIMdPPQqIC7ZftzwbTjn_JvaoKkpEczrCYesHSvIC8