By Genalyn Kabiling  Malacañang is hoping that other local government units will emulate the Quezon City government's decision to ban the use of single-use plastics in restaurants and hotels. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo (PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo pressed for local government action after President Duterte declared support for the proposed ban on the single-use plastic products in the country. "Wala pa sinasabi si Presidente but I suppose all local governments will follow since the President made a stand on that," he said during a Palace press briefing when asked about the national government's plan to implement the ban across the country. Under a new Quezon City ordinance, restaurants and hotels are prohibited from distributing single-use plastic and disposable materials including styrofoam to their customers. Hotels are also banned from distributing soaps and shampoos placed in sachets and single-use containers. The latest ordinance seeks to reduce waste and promote sustainable development in Quezon City. Panelo also said it was up to lawmakers to pursue the passage of a bill seeking a ban on single-use plastic products in the country. "That depends on the members of Congress. The President has already made a definitive stand on that. All they have to do is pursue that line," he said. In a Cabinet meeting last month, the President has expressed support for the plastic ban to curb pollution and save the environment. The President made the pitch for plastic ban days after he and other Southeast Asian leaders committed to step up efforts to combat marine debris pollution during a summit in Thailand. The leaders have recognized that marine debris remained a global concern and that regional collaboration must be intensified to curb ocean pollution. At present, two bills seeking to ban single-use plastic are pending in the Senate. The measures were filed by Senators Francis Pangilinan and Cynthia Villar following reports that the Philippines has become the world’s third largest producer of plastic wastes that pollute the oceans.