PH groups join global call to resolve Minamata tragedy before mercury treaty named for victims

Over 200 civil society groups from 70 countries, including over 35 from the Philippines, have asked the Government of Japan to resolve a 55-year old struggle for justice by Minamata mercury pollution victims and survivors.

Through the “Honoring Minamata” statement, the groups insisted that the still ongoing tragedy must be properly addressed by the Government of Japan and the Chisso Corporation before the global mercury treaty can take the name the Minamata Convention in 2013.

A Chisso Corporation plant producing the chemical acetaldehyde using a mercury catalyzed process irresponsibly discharged wastewater tainted with methyl mercury into the Minamata Bay in Kumamoto Prefecture from 1932-1968, causing what is now called the “Minamata disease” among people who ate the contaminated fish and other seafood.

The Japanese government is set to holds meetings on June 26 in Minamata to explain why the new mercury treaty should be named the Minamata Convention, triggering civil society groups around the world to express support for the Minamata victims and survivors.

“We call on the Government of Japan to make a public commitment to resolving the tragedy and to take concrete steps toward a genuine resolution of the tragedy before the treaty is finalized in 2013,” said Mariann Lloyd-Smith, IPEN co-chair. “After 55 years of struggling, we stand in solidarity with the Minamata victims’ groups in calling for a genuine resolution of the problem.”

“Naming the global mercury control treaty the Minamata Convention directly connects the treaty
to the tragedy,” said Olga Speranskaya, IPEN co-chair. “If the treaty has this name, then the victims and their legitimate demands must be honored and the lessons of the Minamata tragedy must be applied to the treaty.”

In 2010, then Prime Minister Hatoyama proposed naming the mercury treaty the Minamata Convention, though the proposal was not discussed with Minamata groups prior to its announcement.

As victims of the Fukushima tragedy mount, the Minamata disaster may provide important lessons about compensation, clean-up, and polluter pays, the groups said.

In January 2011, Minamata victims and supporter groups released a statement on the tragedy at the global mercury treaty negotiation meeting in Chiba, Japan calling on the government to take authentic steps towards its resolution.

Among the local groups that have supported the “Honoring Minamata” statement were
Alaga LAHAT, Alliance of Progressive Labor, Alyansa Tigil Mina, Ang Nars, Arugaan, Ban Toxics, Bangon Kalikasan Movement, Buklod Tao, Inc., Cavite Green Coalition, Citizens’ Organization Concerned with Advocating Philippine Environmental Sustainability, Consumer Rights for Safe Food, Ecological Society of the Philippines, EcoWaste Coalition and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives.

Also signing were Green Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Environment and Sustainable Economy, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Green Stage Filipinas- Maskara, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance – Philippines, Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia, Institute for Educational and Ecological Alternatives, Interface Development Interventions, International Academy for Oral Medicine and Toxicology- Asia, Kinaiyahan Foundation, Krusada sa Kalikasan, Ministry of Ecology of Risen Christ Parish (Silang, Cavite) and Miriam P.E.A.C.E.

The other signatories were Mother Earth Foundation, Order of Friars Minor – Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, People’s Alternative Study Center for Research and Education in Social Development Inc., Pesticide Action Network Philippines, Philippine Earth Justice Center, Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, Inc., Sanib Lakas ng mga Aktibong Lingkod ng Inang Kalikasan, Save Sierra Madre Network and the Soljuspax.

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Painkillers can kill children, warns EcoWaste

Painkillers can kill even children.

This warning was issued yesterday by toxic watchdog EcoWaste Coalition as they called on the public, particularly parents and teachers, to take precautionary measures to prevent poisoning among children.

Citing data from the 2010 annual report of the University of the Philippines National Poison Management and Control Center (UPNPMCC), the EcoWaste Coalition said paracetamol, also known as painkillers, was among the leading causes of poisoning among children.

Aside from paracetamol, the other top 10 poison agents in terms of in-patient referrals for pediatric age group were kerosene, caustics (example: chlorine bleach), silver jewelry cleaners, pesticides (examples: insecticide lotion and spray and rat poison), ferrous sulfate, elemental mercury (example: the silvery liquid in some thermometers), paint thinner, button cell batteries and benzodiazepines (psychoactive drugs).

“The myriad of poisoning cases involving children due to the consumption or exposure to harmful products and substances should stir parents, as well as school administrators and teachers, into employing precautionary steps to stop such incidents,” EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect coordinator Thony Dizon said.

According to Dizon, many poisoning cases that have occurred in the past could have been prevented if only these common sense tips had been applied.

As the nation marks the National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) this week, EcoWaste Coalition and other toxic watchdogs gathered yesterday to remind the public on the risks of toxic chemicals inside their homes.

The group said parents, teachers and workplace managers can help reduce incidence of chemical poisoning by proper purchase, handling, use and storage of products containing harmful substances.
The public was advised to be health and safety-conscious consumers by reading the labels, demanding chemical information and selecting non-toxic products.

The public was likewise reminded to keep a record of hazardous and potentially hazardous products, as well as wastes, in homes, schools or workplaces such as cosmetics and toiletries, cleaning agents, automotive supplies, herbicides, pesticides and other products with added toxic chemicals.

Chemicals must be labeled and stored properly in a dry, locked or tamper-proof cabinet, the group said.

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Watchdog warns: your children may be at risk of poisoning

To mark National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW), a toxic watchdog on Sunday appealed to the public to take essential precautions to avoid poisoning accidents that can endanger children’s health.

The NPPW is held annually every fourth week of June to raise public awareness on poison prevention as directed by Presidential Proclamation No. 1777, Series of 2009.

In a bid to inform citizens about chemical hazards and the practical ways to prevent poisoning, especially among children, members of the EcoWaste Coalition’s AlerToxic Patrol gathered near Mega Q-Mart (formerly known as the Nepa Q-Mart) along EDSA in Quezon City to disseminate vital information.

Holding big mock images of product containers that bear the skull and cross bones symbol, the AlerToxic Patrollers gave out leaflets entitled “Kalatas,” which is short for “Kamalayan sa Lason at Lunas” (Awareness on Poison and Cure), to shoppers.

“Kalatas” (Note) contains practical tips that parents, teachers and workplace managers will find useful to reduce, if not eliminate, chemical poisoning as a result of improper purchase, handling, use and storage of products containing harmful substances.

“The myriad poisoning cases involving children due to the consumption or exposure to harmful products and substances should stir parents, as well as school administrators and teachers, into employing precautionary steps to stop such incidents,” said Thony Dizon, Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect.

Citing data from the 2010 annual report of the UP National Poison Management and Control Center (UPNPMCC), the EcoWaste Coalition reported that the top 10 poison agents in terms of in-patient referrals for pediatric age group are kerosene, caustics (for example, chlorine bleach), silver jewelry cleaners, pesticides (for example, insecticide lotion and spray and rat poison), ferrous sulfate, elemental mercury (for example, the silvery liquid in some thermometers), paint thinner, paracetamol, button cell batteries and benzodiazepines (psychoactive drugs).

“Many of the poisoning cases that have occurred in the past could have been prevented if only these common sense tips have been applied,” Dizon pointed out.

These poison prevention tips include:

1. Be a health and safety-conscious consumer: read the labels, demand chemical information and select non-toxic products.

2. Keep a record of hazardous and potentially hazardous products, as well as waste, in your home, school or workplace such as cosmetics and toiletries, cleaning agents, automotive supplies, herbicides, pesticides and other products with added toxic chemicals.

3. Label chemicals and store them properly in a dry, locked or tamper-proof cabinet.

4. Ensure that chemicals are out of children’s and pets’ reach and far away from food and water. Do not store cleaning supplies with or near food items.

5. Follow instructions for the safe handling, application and storage of products containing harmful substances, including directions for safe disposal.

6. Never mix chemicals unless specified in the instructions, in order to avoid risky chemical reaction (for example, combining ammonia with bleach will yield poisonous gas).

7. Ensure chemicals are tightly capped and securely stored after use to avoid emission and spillage, and never leave them unattended.

8. Do not remove poisonous products from their original containers or packages and do not destroy product labels or inserts, which could contain life-saving information.

9. Never store chemicals in beverage or food containers as children tend to associate potable drink and edible food with some containers.

10. Do not place ant, roach and rat poisons on the floors that children can mistakenly ingest. Try non-chemical alternatives to get rid of household pests.

11. Keep medicines duly labeled and stored in child-proof containers and cabinets, and check the labels and expiry dates before taking them. Refrain from taking medicines in front of kids as they tend to mimic what adults do. Kids should not be told that medicine is a candy.

12. Dispose of used button cell batteries properly and keep the unused ones far from children's reach.

13. Have a first-aid kit ready and accessible in case of an emergency.

14. Regularly wash or clean children’s hands, toys and other items and places frequently used by kids to minimize potential exposure to lead and other harmful chemicals.

15. Know where to call or get help in the event of suspected or actual poisoning. Call or visit a doctor at once and be sure to keep the original container of the ingested substance for reference.

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Tainted foods banned in schools

The Department of Education (DepEd) directed Thursday all canteens in public and private elementary and high schools to remove food products from their stocks that are believed to be contaminated with di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) to ensure the health and safety of the students inside school premises.

In DepEd Memorandum No. 140, series of 2011 issued to all regional directors, schools/city division superintendents, and heads of private and public elementary and secondary schools, Education Secretary Armin Luistro ordered that “school canteens to dispose of or return these food products in your stocks and ensure that they are not consumed by students and school personnel.”

Luistro ordered school heads “to monitor the inventory of food items sold in school canteens, and to communicate the department’s concern with the local government so food stalls outside of schools maybe examined.”

DepEd officials and school canteens are ordered to follow the directive from the Department of Health-Food and Drug Administration (DoH-FDA) on how to deal with DEHP-contaminated products to prevent school children from buying it.

Under DoH-FDA directive 2011-008, “products whether registered or not with the FDA but identified in the tentative list of DEHP-contaminated products shall be recalled and disposed of properly.”

Products that are not identified in the list but are unregistered with the FDA “shall also be recalled and disposed of, and lastly that those products that are registered but not identified in the list shall be withdrawn from the market to be subjected to a laboratory analysis to confirm the presence or absence of DEHP.”

Some of the items in the FDA-issued list of DEHP-tainted products from Taiwan include fruit juices, fruit juice powders, fruit concentrates, fruit candies, fruit tablets, fruit powders, sports drinks, teas, jelly and yogurt.

DEHP, a suspected carcinogen, can damage the kidneys, liver and lungs, and cause reproductive and developmental disorders such as underdeveloped penises and testicles in boys and early puberty in girls.

Taiwan’s FDA reportedly ordered a stop to the selling of the products. Earlier, EcoWaste Coalition, a toxic watchdog, urged the DepEd to initiate proactive measures to ensure that students are protected from health-damaging food and drinks containing DEHP.

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Food chemical may shrink sex organs

TO further secure the health and safety of the students, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday ordered all school canteens to rid of products from their stocks contaminated with the chemical di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP.

DEHP is suspected to cause damage in the kidneys, liver and lungs, and cause reproductive and developmental disorders such as underdeveloped penises and testicles in boys and early puberty in girls.

DepEd points to a DOH-FDA directive (2011-008), “products whether registered or not with the FDA but identified in the tentative list of DEHP-contaminated products shall be recalled and disposed of properly.”

Some of the items under the list include fruit juices, fruit juice powders, fruit concentrates, fruit candies, fruit tablets, fruit powders, sports drinks, teas, jelly and yoghurt.

In Memorandum Order No. 140, Education Secretary Armin Luistro directed school canteens to “dispose of or return products in your stocks and ensure that they are not consumed by students and school personnel.”

School heads were also mandated to monitor the inventory of food items sold in school cafeterias, and to relay the department’s concern with the local government so food stalls outside of schools maybe examined.

Those in-charge of school canteens are likewise encouraged to follow the directive from the Department of Health-Food and Drug Administration (DOH-FDA) on how to deal with DEHP-contaminated products to prevent school children from buying it.

Under the said DOH-FDA directive (2011-008), “products whether registered or not with the FDA but identified in the tentative list of DEHP-contaminated products shall be recalled and disposed of properly.”

Some of the items under the list include fruit juices, fruit juice powders, fruit concentrates, fruit candies, fruit tablets, fruit powders, sports drinks, teas, jelly and yoghurt.

Products not identified in the list but are unregistered with the FDA shall also be recalled and disposed of, and lastly that those products that are registered but not identified in the list shall be withdrawn from the market to be subjected to a laboratory analysis to confirm the presence or absence of DEHP.

The toxic watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition earlier urged DepEd to act on rolling out a food safety awareness and action campaign with school administrators, teachers, non-teaching personnel, students, parents and food service providers to educate them on the gravity of the issue.

The Taiwan’s FDA has also ordered a stop to the selling of products made by the Yu Shen Chemical Company that used DEHP as substitute for palm oil.

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Groups urge authorities to stand by the pollution prevention goal of the Clean Air

As the nation marks the 12th anniversary of the signing of Republic Act 8749 Wednesday, campaigners for health, environmental and climate justice urged national and local authorities to duly enforce the ban on waste incineration.

In a common statement, the EcoWaste Coalition, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) and the Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) pressed lead government agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Health, the Department of Science and Technology, as well as local government units (LGUs), to be faithful with the spirit and intent of the law.

Signed by then President Joseph Estrada, R.A. 8749, or the Clean Air Act of 1999, is a wide-ranging air quality management law that seeks to protect the right of every person to breathe clean air by curbing emissions from various pollution sources.

Among the pollution prevention and reduction measures enshrined in R.A. 8749 is the ban on incinerators, which fall under the category of stationary sources of air pollutants, that “emit toxic and poisonous fumes.”

“For the nth time, we urge those accountable for bringing into fruition the promise of safe and healthy environment under R.A. 8749 not to be remiss in their duty of enforcing the incineration ban,” said Roy Alvarez, President, EcoWaste Coalition.

“Despite the availability of economical and environmentally-safe methods of discards management, we are stunned to find public officials from Benguet to Butuan lured into patronizing costly incinerators peddled as viable solutions to garbage woes,” noted GAIA campaigner Paeng Lopez.

“Even some health officials seem to be oblivious to the fact that healthcare waste incineration is out-of-date given the commercial accessibility to different types and sizes of non-burn technologies, such as autoclave and microwave, for killing pathogens in infected waste,” stated Merci Ferrer, Director, HCWH-Southeast Asia.

The groups asked institutions and LGUs being targeted by incinerator vendors to focus their time, energy and financial resources in fully implementing waste prevention and reduction programs, accompanied with active public information and education drive.

Such programs, according to the groups, must include segregation at source, reusing, recycling and composting, as well as other methods for cutting the volume and toxicity of discards, including “upstream” approaches like clean production and extended producer responsibility.

“Any time incinerator peddlers throw scifi-sounding nouns and adjectives to go along words such as plasma, gasification, or pyrolysis to make their technologies sound hi-tech, please remember that those are fundamentally incinerators in varying disguises,” added Lopez.

The groups emphasized that the ban on waste incineration, which has been reaffirmed in another law (R.A. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000), is a valuable environmental policy that has, among others, prevented valuable materials from being turned into toxic ash, reduced the discharge of harmful by-products from combustion processes, and averted the squander of public money for costly, imported and superfluous materials destruction technology.

Citing the GAIA factsheet on “Incinerators: Myths and Facts,” the groups reiterated the following points debunking the safeness and soundness of garbage incinerators:

1. Municipal waste is non-renewable, consisting of discarded materials such as paper, plastic and glass that are derived from finite natural resources such as forests that are being depleted at unsustainable rates.

2. All incinerators pose considerable risk to the health and environment of frontline communities as well as that of the general population. Even the most technologically advanced incinerators release thousands of pollutants that contaminate our air, soil and water.

3.Burning waste contributes to climate change since incinerators emit more carbon dioxide (CO2) per unit of electricity (2988 lbs/MWh) than coal-fired power plants. (2249 lbs/MWh).

4.All incinerators are a massive waste of energy. Due to the low calorific value of waste, incinerators are only able to capture small amounts of energy while destroying large amounts of reusable materials.

5.Incinerators burn local jobs, requiring huge capital investment, but they offer relatively few jobs when compared to recycling.

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'Litterless' Run for Rizal draws cheers from green group

A waste and pollution watchdog has expressed delight over the “litterless” fun run held Sunday morning at the Luneta in celebration of the 150th birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal.

The EcoWaste Coalition, a public interest network campaigning for a “litter-free Pilipinas,” commended the organizers and participants for demonstrating their environmental discipline and responsibility in such a historic event.

Organized by the Department of Education (DepEd), the “Takbo ni Pepe@150” drew thousands upon thousands of young people who came to honor the national hero and also to support the government’s resource mobilization drive for public schools.

“We congratulate DepEd and all the participating schools and students for keeping the event litterless as they walked and ran in memory of Rizal and in support of the public school system,” said Manny Calonzo, EcoWaste Coalition’s Basura Patroller who monitored the event.

“Compared to other mass events held in Rizal Park, the fun run did not blight the area with too much garbage,” he said.

“For sure there were some litterbugs among the participants, representing a tiny fraction of the runners and leaving only patches of littered candy and snack wrappers,” he said.

“Although not totally litter-free, we’re pleased to see that the participants did not leave a big mess along the route, particularly in Rizal Park” he further said.

Littering is a serious environmental offense that is not only making a place looks bad, said the EcoWaste Coalition.

According to the group, littering also causes a host of negative effects to public hygiene and sanitation, drainage management and flood control and wildlife protection, while consuming hordes of public funds for cleanup.

Section 48 of Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, prohibits the dumping of waste matters in public places such as roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros, parks and establishments.

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Eco-group calls for a chemical-free, ecological farming

An eco-group has urged Filipinos, especially the farmers, to switch from synthetic chemical-based farming into natural, chemical-free farming.

“The transition has to take effect fast as we badly need to restore the health and fertility of our farms that are being tormented by the indiscriminate use of synthetic fertilizer and pesticide inputs,” Bernie Aragoza, chair of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Task Force on Ecological Agriculture.

The group aired this plea at its recent seminar on ecological farming in Quezon City that brought together urban and rural leaders from different community groups in Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Rizal and Metro Manila.

Participants of the seminar learned about the simple, low-cost and effective ways of doing homemade garden concoctions as substitutes to chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the employment of beneficial microorganisms and the cultivation of food crops in clay pots or recycled containers for space-challenged homes, barangays, schools and churches.

According to Aragoza, transitioning from use of agro-chemical inputs to natural and ecological farming will bring about other benefits, including ensuring safe produce, protecting water resources from chemical runoffs, and saving money from costly chemical inputs.

“In lieu of synthetic chemicals, we can make concoctions out of alternative raw and natural materials that can serve many purposes such as for nitrogen fixing, controlling pests, enriching the soil, and inducing the growth and flowering of plants and trees. These alternative materials are many, cost almost nothing and mostly available in backyards and in kitchen waste like left-over cooked rice, ripe papaya, garlic or ginger, and fish bones, intestines or gills,” Aragoza suggested.

“By making use of these alternative materials, we also reduce our household biodegradable waste and prevent the formation of greenhouse gases by diverting organics away from dumpsites,” he said.

The participants of the seminar are community leaders from Batangas Dos Fishermen’s Association, Brahma Kumaris, Bukid sa Himpapawid, Cavite Green Coalition- Ministri ng Pamamahala sa Kalikasan, Citizens’ Organization Concerned with Advocating Philippine Environmental Sustainability, Franciscan Movement for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation-Fellowship for the Care of Creation, Kupkop Kita Kabayan Foundation, Nagkakaisang Mananambakan ng Dumpsite Area, Inc., Sagip Pasig Movement and Sining Yapak.

Last year, Congress passed RA 10068, the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, to promote the practice of organic agriculture to increase farm productivity, aid in reducing pollution and destruction of the environment, and further protect the health of farmers, consumers and the general public, which the EcoWaste Coalition said should be widely supported.

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‘Dumping of e-waste may ultimately drain LGU coffers’

The continued dumping of electronic waste, through years of unchecked importation of used electronic gadgets, may have already contaminated many urban communities with both chemical and radioactive toxins, and ultimately drain the resources of local government units (LGUs).

The warning was issued anew by two ecology groups, which also said the absence of technology to dispose of electronic waste has led to discreet methods of concealing the waste by pulverizing them, thus leading to what they call “the vanishing e-waste.”



“What is fearsome is the effect of these powdered but highly toxic materials to the environment, as they are being thrown anywhere, contaminating our soil, our water sources, ultimately reaching the food chain,” said Richard Gutierrez, executive director of Ban Toxics.

In his Powerpoint presentation before an audience of local government officials, Gutierrez said “we may be looking at how much toxic waste we have, consisting of plastics from computers of about 552 million pounds, lead from glass of cathode-ray tubes of about 120 million pounds, and mercury of about 632,000 pounds.”

These are the toxic materials found in used television and computer sets discarded by developed countries, and which importers dump here as reconditioned sets sold cheaply, he said.

“E-waste is an urgent topic of concern, especially for countries such as the Philippines, where discarded electronics from countries such as Japan and South Korea are exported as secondhand goods,” he said.

Japan, for instance, he said, “discards 18 million home electronic appliances annually, amounting to 600,000 tons of e-waste.”

The 20-inch TV screen already produced and placed side by side would stretch out “to cover the circumference of the Earth once,” he said, adding that the 14-inch computer screens also placed side by side would cover a third of the circumference of the Earth.

He listed at least five toxic chemicals and elements present in many imported electronic gadgets that would also include old mobile phones, radio sets and those used mainly in communication and transportation, and industrial machinery.

Lead, for one, he said, “accumulates in the environment and has high acute and chronic effects on plants, animals and microorganisms. Lead poisoning is the primary cause of death in cattle in parts of Canada; fatal to birds, etc.”

He added that mercury, “persistent and bioaccumulative, spreads into water supplies, accumulates in living things, and eventually travels up through the food chain.”

He said another element, cadmium, “when it enters the air, binds to small particles, falls to the ground or water as rain or snow, and may contaminate fish, plants and animals.”

Plastics, the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) type, produce dioxins when PVCs are burned.

“Dioxin can contaminate soil and water, and enter the food supply and accumulates in the fat of fish and animals. This can be passed through the breast milk of nursing mothers,” he said.

Brominated flame retardants would also produce toxin that easily find their way in the breast milk of nursing mothers.

Asked about the extent of contamination of fishes and other marine species, Gutierrez said “it would need a study by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to determine it.”

Albert Jubilo, a researcher and member of the Davao City chapter of the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers, told the forum on “Educating Communities and LGUs on the Dangers of E-waste” that its study on the poblacion area of Davao City “indicated that the dumping of these secondhand TV and computer sets was already alarming, and these gadgets have found their way in the waste stream, thrown in garbage piles and in the dump.”

“The study was made three years ago, in 2008, and how much more is the situation today? Besides, we only studied the poblacion area. What more if the government or other groups would make a thorough and full-dressed monitoring and investigation?” he told the BusinessMirror at the sidelines of the forum held at the Medical School Foundation Inc.

He urged local governments to generate widespread discussion to prod the national government to make a policy move regulating the import of used electronic gadgets “that may force importers or distributors to package and label the items properly.”

“Local ordinances may compel importers and distributors to label or put information on how to dispose of them after their obvious limited use,” he said.

“The local government should assert its authority over their localities because these uncontrolled dumping of electronic waste, while seen as an economic opportunity, actually threaten the well-being of the local population and, ultimately, tell on the resources of local governments because it would be these LGUs that would be left to manage the threat and damage to their residents and their respective environments,” he said.

“The national government should be told that these items ultimately find their way into the LGUs and households because somebody up there [in the bureaucracy] is not doing his job,” he said.

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Dr. Jose Rizal cited for his work on community health and environment

In the lead up to the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal on Sunday, June 19, environmentalists paid tribute to the national hero, citing his intimate love and concern for people and nature.

In a statement, the EcoWaste Coalition, an environmental network of over 125 public interest groups, honored Rizal for his many but often unproclaimed contributions to community health and the environment.

“We pay homage to our national hero Jose Rizal for his keen devotion to improving community health and environment long before the Constitution formally committed to promoting and protecting the health and environmental rights of the people,” said Roy Alvarez, president of EcoWaste Coalition.

The present Constitution of the Philippines declares the pursuit of the people’s “right to health” and the “right to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature” as state policies.

“We can find in Rizal the qualities and skills of an authentic Filipino who treasures our natural patrimony and uses the earth’s resources for the health and well-being of the people,” Alvarez emphasized.

As "the greatest product of the Philippines," in the words of his best friend Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt, Rizal, an animal and plant lover, also excelled in many fields of environmental work, including as an agriculturist, botanist, conchologist, horticulturist, ichthyologist, sanitary engineer and zoologist.

The EcoWaste Coalition specifically pointed to Rizal’s vibrant life as a political exile from 1892 to 1896 in the town of Dapitan, now a thriving city with scenic beaches and hills in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

As an environmental health and rural reconstruction champion of his era, Rizal carried out community projects in Dapitan that afforded the people with tangible health, sanitation and ecological benefits, the EcoWaste Coalition said.

Among these projects were the aqueduct that Rizal engineered from a mountain stream that gave people of Dapitan access to clean water, the draining of swamps to control the breeding of malaria mosquitoes, the provision of street lighting system using coconut oil lamps, and the beautification of the town plaza.

Like today's herbalists, Rizal, who was also a physician specializing on eye diseases, studied locally-grown medicinal plants and have these prescribed to his poor patients to alleviate their health problems, the group noted.

An avid naturalist, or a person who studies “natural history,” Rizal collected samples of animals and plants from the forest and seashores, including an amazing collection of 346 shells consisting of 203 species, 38 new varieties of fish and some rare specimens that have been named after him such as the Apogonia rizali (a beetle), Draco rizali (a flying dragon) and Rhacophorus rizali (a frog).

Also, as a farmer, he planted and cared for hundreds of trees in Dapitan, including a very old dao tree that is still standing in the city, a living testament of Rizal’s passion for nature, the EcoWaste Coalition observed.

“As we mark his 150th birthday, we join our historians in inviting the entire nation, especially the youth, to rediscover and celebrate Rizal, particularly his unheralded service to the environment,” Alvarez stated.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the government agency in charge of leading the 150th observance of Rizal’s birthday, has set “Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan” as the theme for the celebration.

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Thanks, Yang

Last week, EcoWaste Coalition observed World Environment by trooping to Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Metro Manila, not in protest, but in gratitude to Taiwanese food safety inspector.

According to the China Times website, the 52-year-old inspector, a mother of two surnamed Yang, first became suspicious in March of rare contaminants when she was routinely checking beverages to find out whether they were adulterated with any banned chemicals.

Yang’s diligence uncovered Taiwan’s latest tainted food scandal involving the massive use of the cancer-causing plasticizer DEHP in bottled beverages and dairy products.

Officials of Taiwan’s health department declined to divulge Yang’s full name “in order to maintain her privacy.”

Yang became suspicious of a new trace of contamination when she saw abnormal wave-shaped signals on her gas chromatography screen as she was inspecting certain sports and soft drinks. She spent two weeks identifying the signals as being caused by DEHP.

Last week, Taiwan’s health officials announced that DEHP has been detected in 16 samples of sports and soft drinks, including Sunkist lemon juice, Taiwan Yes energy-boosting drink, and a sports drink manufactured by Young Energy Source Co. All these drinks have been removed from store shelves.

In what the EcoWaste Coalition described as “a simple event” held outside the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Makati City, the environmentalists honored the Taiwanese food safety inspector, “for her perseverance in protecting the public good.”

“In the face of the snowballing toxic food crisis in Taiwan, we take a breather to say salamat po to ‘Mrs. Yang’ for her priceless service to public health and safety,” said retired nurse Elsie Brandes-De Veyra of the EcoWaste Coalition, which is campaigning for consumer access to information and for consumer protection against hazardous chemicals in goods.

Aside: Chinese women traditionally retain their maiden name even after marriage. For example, Mao Zedong’s fourth wife was still called Jiang Qing long after she married the Chinese communist leader. It is likely that calling the Taiwanese food safety inspector “Mrs. Yang” is inappropriate.

Whoever she really is, thanks just the same.

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Congo Bans Plastic Bags To Fight Pollution

The Republic of Congo has banned the production, import, sale and use of
plastic bags in a move to fight environmental pollution in the Central
African nation, government spokesman Bienvenu Okiemy said Thursday.

Okiemy said the government adopted a decree following a cabinet meeting
Wednesday. It prohibits the use of plastic bags to pack food, groceries,
water and other beverages.

"For some years now, particularly in urban areas, Congo has witnessed
major environmental pollution caused by discarded plastic bags which
block drainage systems, causing floods and landslides," Okiemy said.

He did not say from when the ban would be effective.

Congo, like many developing nations, lacks adequate waste management and
recycling facilities. The widely used non-biodegradable plastic bags are
strewn about, causing harm to the environment.

Rwanda has led Africa's fight against plastic bags, banning them five
years ago. Other countries have also moved to either ban or limit their
usage.

In December, Italy said it would ban plastic shopping bags while the
European Commission, said in May it was considering a tax or a ban on
plastic bags to cut their use.

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‘Turn rotting fish into sweet-smelling fertilizer’

INSTEAD of burying the rotting fish in Batangas and Pangasinan, a local waste and pollution watchdog suggested that the hundreds of tons of bangus be turned into organic fertilizers.


The EcoWaste Coalition (EcoWaste) said the rotting bangus, that the national and local governments have difficulty disposing could be converted into sweet-smelling, nutrient-rich fertilizers farmers need to boost plant growth and yield.


“We’re confident that the country’s agriculture experts would be able to guide local governments in selecting the most suitable composting system for the enormous fishkill discards, including botcha fish seized from traders,” he added.


According to a June 4 update by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), a total of 108 fish cages were affected by the fishkill in barangays Catubig and Culang, in Bolinao and in barangays Awag, Mal-ong, Narra and Siapar in Anda, all in Pangasinan, with losses estimated at P 40,710,300.00.


The NDRMMC also reported that 360 fish cages were affected in the towns of Agoncillo, Laurel, San Nicolas and Talisay, all in Batangas, and in the open waters of Alitagtag, Cuenca and Santa Teresita, all in Batangas, with approximate losses up to P142,530,000.00.


Fishkill episodes were also detected on Sunday in Lipa City and Mataas na Kahoy, also in Batangas.


Citing information from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the EcoWaste Coalition said windrow composting may provide an effective option for the disposal of large numbers of dead fish.


Windrow composting is a method characterized by the piling of biodegradable discards, such as garden and farm waste and animal manure, in long rows or windrows.


According to the USGS biological information and technology notes, windrow composting offers several advantages, including the ability to dispose all the dead fish at once, contain carcasses and pathogens, and avoid the production of leachate.


“A large-scale composting operation that is properly designed and managed provides an excellent waste management alternative to traditional waste disposal,” the USGS said.


“The finished compost is an excellent source of nitrogen that is immediately available to crops, providing additional benefits,” it added.

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BPA Is Indispensible For Making Plastics

Polymer producers are in a pickle. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a versatile and valuable chemical building block that makers of high-performance plastics don't want to give up. But BPA is under intense scientific scrutiny for being an endocrine disrupter, and consumers are pressuring companies to find alternatives.

"In terms of viable alternatives, there have certainly been attempts to displace BPA-based plastics such as polycarbonate and epoxy resins, but until recently, none were successful," says polymeric materials chemist Daniel F. Schmidt of the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

As Schmidt notes, chemists have been active in seeking out BPA substitutes, especially for food and drink packaging applications, starting with compounds that are easy surrogates. One idea has been to turn to chemicals that already have Food & Drug Administration approval for food-contact uses and are considered safe. Products made from such FDA-approved components generally do not need to undergo any additional safety testing in the U.S., at least for now. Congress, however, may address this gap in U.S. environmental regulations if it makes revisions to the Toxic Substances Control Act.

Some examples of compounds that are approved for food-contact uses include isosorbide and isoidide, which are bicyclic sugars derived from sorbitol. These compounds are used as diuretics, and nitrated versions are used to treat angina. But as with other potential alternatives for making polymers tough and clear, they don't yet match BPA's attributes.

"From the standpoint of plastics engineering, it's material costs and properties that matter, not simply replacing one specific molecule with another," Schmidt points out.

The only large-scale BPA-free success so far is Eastman Chemical's Tritan copolyester, which was originally designed as a polycarbonate substitute for plastic dinnerware that is less prone to developing microcracks and becoming hazy (C&EN, Aug. 31, 2009, page 20). Introduced in October 2007 just before the BPA safety alarm sounded, it unexpectedly became a hit for making reusable baby bottles and water bottles.

Thought to be assembled from a combination of dimethyl terephthalate, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, Tritan's properties in combination with its comparable production costs and consumer demands for BPA-free materials are driving its success, Schmidt says.

Because all of Tritan's components were previously approved for food-contact use in the U.S., Eastman received an exemption from FDA and thus no additional safety data were required. But Eastman was required to obtain additional approval for Tritan from European authorities. And to reassure consumers, the company reported in May 2010 that independent lab tests it commissioned showed Tritan to be BPA-free and free from estrogenic activity in standard in vitro assays.

It turns out that BPA-free alternatives, including some grades of Tritan, can still display estrogenic activity, according to Stuart I. Yaniger, vice president of research and product development at PlastiPure, a polymer technology company based in Austin, Texas.

Yaniger and his colleagues use standard human breast cancer cell proliferation assays to test polymer formulations to see if they stimulate estrogenic activity and then try to design new plastics to avoid it (C&EN, March 14, page 48). Estrogenic activity—the ability to simulate the effects of the female sex hormones—is a common kind of endocrine disruption. But it doesn't necessarily signal toxicity.

The estrogenic activity from BPA-free plastics might arise from the polymer or from additives such as clarifiers that modify the crystal morphology of the plastic to keep it clear enough to compete with polycarbonate, Yaniger says. These clarifiers include traditional compounds such as sodium benzoate and newer versions based on sorbitol derivatives and benzene trisamides.

"The key is aromatics—if there's anything that can possibly hydrolyze to form a phenolic species or contains a phenol structure right out of the jar, it's likely to be an issue," Yaniger explains. "But our research shows that the estrogenic activity can be avoided through the choice of appropriate base polymers and, just as important, choosing additives carefully."

Among BPA-free alternatives being explored, glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate, a type of copolyester, has clarity and processability comparable with polycarbonate, Yaniger says. Glasslike transparency is desirable for aesthetics and functionality—clear containers look better and allow users to see what's inside or whether the container appears clean. But the copolyester is still not quite as tough or heat-stable as polycarbonate and has a slightly higher cost, he notes. In bioassays, it has about the same estrogenic activity as polycarbonate, he adds.

Another BPA-free replacement plastic is polyether sulfone, which is typically made by condensation of chlorinated diphenyl sulfone with disodium bisphenolate salts. Diphenyl sulfone is a chemical cousin to BPA, and the two compounds are sometimes copolymerized. Polyether sulfone is very stable and holds its properties over a wide temperature range, Yaniger says, but the polymer is significantly more expensive and still triggers a positive response in estrogenic activity assays.

Cyclic olefin copolymers, often based on norbornene, are a less well-known class of plastics, but they can have outstanding clarity and chemical resistance, Yaniger adds. These polymers are somewhat more expensive than polycarbonate, but they can readily be made estrogenic-activity-free and have target applications that include baby bottles. "Its Achilles' heel is brittleness, but we think that's a problem that can be solved," Yaniger says.

The other popular polycarbonate alternative is clarified polypropylene (C&EN, Sept. 6, 2010, page 34). It doesn't produce quite as clear a plastic as polycarbonate, but it's inexpensive, tough, highly processable, and chemically inert, Yaniger notes. "Although most commercial examples are estrogenic, our research shows that not all are. For the moment, this is the overall best choice for our baby bottle customers," he says.

Replacing BPA in epoxy can liners is a more intractable problem, Yaniger says. "But given the intense interest and research activity in industry and academia, it's one that will certainly eventually be solved."

Without any lining, a typical aluminum or steel can creates a strong air and light barrier by itself. But over time contact with the food corrodes the metal and can lead to microbial contamination.

That's where BPA-based epoxy resin liners come in. They give canned goods improved shelf life and their good safety record. But residual amounts of BPA can leach into can contents, becoming an unwanted source of human exposure to the chemical (C&EN, July 20, 2009, page 28).

There are a couple of approaches to avoiding BPA in epoxies, Yaniger says. Manufacturers could substitute polyesters or oleoresins for BPA-based coatings. In the case of polyesters, that requires avoiding potentially toxic metal catalyst residues. As for the oleoresins, they often are plant-derived compounds, which could be endocrine disrupters that cause adverse health effects. The other way is to create new types of epoxies using isosorbide or other sugar-based materials. Both approaches cost more than BPA-based resins, he adds.

Epoxy replacement polymers have started to gain some traction, especially polyethylene terephthalate in Japan, Yaniger says. But they remain limited in their use. It's also unknown whether these alternatives are BPA-free or show any reduction in estrogenic activity, he notes.

Another alternative is to not use cans, Yaniger says. Aside from glass, there are plastic packaging options that have the favorable barrier properties of metal cans but don't require BPA-containing epoxy liners, he explains. "The materials that are used for food contact in these technologies are usually polyolefins, which probably aren't estrogenic-activity-free, but they could be made that way." These options provide challenges in heating to sterilize food and can create off-flavors, however.

Although extensive research continues on one-for-one replacements for BPA in polycarbonate and in epoxy resins, Yaniger says, indications are that the implementation of most of those solutions "is still years away."

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EcoWaste coalition pushes composting of fish carcasses

As coastal communities in Batangas and Pangasinan struggle to clear their areas of rotting fish from the recent fish kill incidents, an environmental watchdog asked the authorities not to just bury the dead fish, but to compost them instead.

The EcoWaste Coalition on Tuesday urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to assist local government units (LGUs) to turn the stinking fish trash into sweet-smelling, nutrient-rich bio-fertilizers.

“As impacted LGUs and communities wrestle with tons of decomposing fish in cages and those along the shores, we urge the DA to turn the massive fish kill into an opportunity to produce compost that can be used by our farmers to enrich depleted soils,” said organic farming advocate Bernie Aragoza of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Task Force on Ecological Agriculture.

“We’re confident that our agriculture experts would be able to guide LGUs in selecting the most suitable composting system for the enormous fish kill discards, including 'botcha' fish seized from traders,” he added.

According to a June 4 update by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), a total of 108 fish cages were affected by the fish kill in Barangays Catubig and Culang, in Bolinao and in Barangays Awag, Mal-ong, Narra and Siapar in Anda, Pangasinan, with losses estimated at P40,710,300.

The NDRMMC also reported that 360 units of fish cages were affected in the municipalities of Agoncillo, Laurel, San Nicolas and Talisay, Batangas, and in the open water of Alitagtag, Cuenca and Santa Teresita, Batangas, with approximate losses up to P142,530,000.

Fish kill episodes were also detected last Sunday in Lipa City and the municipality of Mataas na Kahoy, also in Batangas.

Citing information from the United State Geological Survey (USGS), the EcoWaste Coalition said that windrow composting may provide an effective option for the disposal of large numbers of dead fish from the various incidents.

USGS is a science organization that collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.

Windrow composting is a composting method characterized by the piling of biodegradable discards such as garden and farm waste and animal manure in long rows or windrows.

According to the USGS biological information and technology notes, windrow composting offers several advantages including the ability to dispose all the dead fish at once, contain carcasses and pathogens, and avoid the production of leachate.

“A large-scale composting operation that is properly designed and managed provides an excellent waste management alternative to traditional waste disposal,” the USGS said.

“The finished compost is an excellent source of nitrogen that is immediately available to crops, providing additional benefits,” it also said.

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Group raises warning on electronic waste

ELECTRONIC waste or E-waste dumped in Davao from other countries in the guise of being surplus products is becoming a nuisance to the environment and poses health risks.

Lawyer Richard Gutierrez, executive director of Ban Toxics, said it is an urgent topic that should be given attention, especially for countries like the Philippines, where discarded electronics are exported as second-hand goods.

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"We would like to emphasize on the ratification of the Basel Ban Amendment that would strictly determine and regulate the second-hand goods that are coming in our country, and for legislators to follow in making local guidelines to determine parameters on these products," Gutierrez said during the press conference at the Davao Medical School Foundation.

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal is the most comprehensive global environmental agreement on hazardous and other wastes.

Gutierrez added that although Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje have expressed their support, Ban Toxics would like to educate the public on the hazardous effects of e-waste that are present in our country.

E-waste contains a cocktail of toxic chemicals that are added to various electronics. These electronics are usually the cheap items found in surplus stores.

Ecowaste Coalition's Project themed Protect has found six to seven cheap toys from bargain centers that contain toxic plastics.

"And with the start of classes, we would like to ask the parents not to use plastic covers for their children books because it is made of polyvinylchloride (PVC) that are damaging to their health," said Rei Panaligan of Ecowaste Coalition.

"Sa paggawa pa lang ng plastic, there are toxins used already and if these materials with PVC are exposed to heat or if they will be burnt, it will emit toxins that are very hazardous," Gutierrez added.

Ban Toxic and Ecowaste Coalition, together with Interface Development Interventions (Idis) and Kinaiyahan Foundation, urged the public and consumers to be mindful of the electronics they buy and the subsequent e-waste they will produce.

Consumers should first research on products that are bio-hazards. A guide to greener electronic can be found in the website of Greenpeace and there are also lists of e-waste collectors at the DENR website.

Purchase electronics that have the RoHS logo, or the Restriction of Hazardous Substance directive, means that these products do not contain mercury, lead, cadmium, chromium nad polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated biphenyl ethers - common toxins found in electronic gadgets.

They also recommend that consumers buy brands that have take back policies or has a good warranty offer, and look for gadgets that have rechargeable rather than disposable batteries.

"The message we are trying to convey is simple, the solution is in our hands," said Lisa Esquillo of Idis.

They also recommend the local government unit, especially the City Environment and Natural Resources, to educate the scavengers and their waste retrieval staff about the ill-effects of e-waste.

"Disposing these e-wastes improperly can be very hazardous to one's health, kaya dapat din nila matutunan ang proper disposal," Gutierrez said.

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Food for thought: Protect children from toxins

If you ask kids what their favorite “subject” in school is, they’d probably chorus with cherubic glee: “Recess!” Levity aside, what students eat in school has been an absorbing topic over the years. Hogging the headlines these days are the blacklisted toxic foods and drinks from Taiwan that have landed on our shores — and probably on the shelves of some stores. This has prompted a toxic watchdog to urge the Department of Education (DepEd) to come up with proactive measures that will protect students from these harmful foods and drinks.

“Now that we know which products from Taiwan are tainted with DEHP, we call on our education officials to welcome the new academic year with an enthusiastic campaign on food safety,” says Roy Alvarez, EcoWaste Coalition president.

Adding Teeth To Food Campaign

To add teeth to this food safety awareness and action campaign, Alvarez suggests that it should be carried out in cooperation with school administrators, teachers, non-teaching personnel, students, parents, and food service providers, concessionaires, and vendors.

What are these food products we should keep our children away from? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released a tentative list of beverage and food products believed to be contaminated with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP, the dangerous chemical being blamed for the still unfolding toxic food scandal in Taiwan.

The FDA list of dreaded DEHP-tainted products from Taiwan includes: fruit juices, fruit juice powders, fruit concentrates, fruit candies, fruit tablets, fruit powders, sports drinks, teas, jelly, and yoghurt. DEHP, a suspected carcinogen, can damage the kidneys, liver, and lungs, and cause reproductive and developmental disorders such as underdeveloped penises and testicles in boys and early puberty in girls.

Zeroing In On School Canteens

Like any concerned parent, Alvarez asserts, “The campaign’s immediate objective should be to keep the tainted goods away from school canteens and snack kiosks, as well as convenience stores near schools. Just as important is educating parents, students, and other stakeholders to shun unhealthy foods such as those laden with synthetic and toxic chemicals, and those high in fat, salt, and sugar.”

Alvarez urges school officials to initiate dialogues with canteen operators and food concessionaires to ensure that no DEHP-tainted goods find their way into the school canteens. Likewise, convenience stores (which may be not-so-conveniently located around school campuses) should in no way sell recalled goods or high-risk products from Taiwan that have no safety certifications.

EcoWaste Coalition also enjoined all parents out there to exercise their right to ask questions, if only to ensure their children are not fed with injurious stuff. Hear ye, parents: You have the right to ask for full product details. You have the right to secure safety guarantee for your kids and get the best value for your hard-earned money.

Taiwanese Heroine Cited

To celebrate World Environment Day last Sunday, the EcoWaste Coalition honored the woman who called attention to these contaminated Taiwanese food and beverage products and caused their massive recall.

At simple rites held outside the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Makati City, Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the Philippines, members of the EcoWaste Coalition gave “Mrs. Yang,” a Taiwanese food safety inspector, a “Salamat Po” (Thank You) award “for her perseverance in protecting the public good.”

The 52-year-old heroine is an employee of Taiwan’s Department of Health - Food and Drug Administration (DOH-FDA) whose professional dedication led to the detection of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a toxic substance used as plasticizer in some Taiwanese drinks and foods.

These words of praise were heaped on Mrs. Yang: “Through the faithful performance of her duty, she has prevented the distribution and sale of more DEHP-tainted products in Taiwan and in importing countries like the Philippines, thus reducing consumer exposure to the cancer-causing DEHP, a toxic additive to plastics. Her meticulous and faithful performance of her job as a food safety inspector should be emulated by all public servants, especially by government officials and employees charged with ensuring that manufacturers and businesses fully comply with health and environmental laws such as those regulating chemical substances in products. Mrs. Yang is an exemplary model of a conscientious government regulator that every society needs in order to eliminate toxic threats to public health — particularly to the most vulnerable population groups — and the environment. We hope her action will inspire increased consumer vigilance against toxic harm and bring about lasting chemical reforms in our societies, including the implementation of toxics use reduction and clean production, food traceability processes, and good manufacturing audits, for the sake of public health and safety.”
Meanwhile, EcoWaste Coalition lauded the decision by local food and drug regulators led by FDA Director Suzette Lazo to protect local consumers from DEHP exposure with the issuance of FDA Advisory 2011-008, which directs the immediate recall of tainted goods from Taiwan.

Toxic Toys, Too

From toxic food, we go to toxic toys. Surely, our children are under constant threat from toxin-tainted products.

Thus, this urgent appeal from Thony Dizon on behalf of EcoWaste Coalition’s Project PROTECT (People Responding and Organizing against Toxic Chemical Threats): “We urge DepEd to enlist the help of health authorities in weeding out the toxic toys, as well as those that pose choking, laceration, physical and strangulation hazards to young children.”

He adds, “DepEd should take all precautionary measures to shield and save children from unsafe toys. They should come out with a health-based criteria on what toys can be donated and received. We should not let our guard down knowing that children are most prone to chemical and other hazards.”

Other chemicals of concern often found in toys include aniline, bisphenol A, brominated flame retardants, cadmium, chlorinated paraffins, chromium, formaldehyde, lead, nonylphenol, organotin, perfluorinated chemicals, and triclosan.

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President Aquino to champion solid waste management nationwide

President Benigno Aquino III himself will lead the campaign for nationwide compliance with Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which promotes proper waste disposal and aims reducing the country’s garbage volume -– already estimated at some 35,000 tons daily -- to help safeguard public health and to protect the environment.

”He agreed to come out in mass media and request people to undertake solid waste management (SWM),” said Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje.

To help the campaign reach as many people as possible, Paje said President Aquino requested DENR to prepare either a documentary or advertisement highlighting need for SWM which covers collection, transport, processing, recycling, disposal and monitoring of garbage generated.

Such documentary or advertisement featuring the President making his appeal for SWM will be aired on television and other forms of mass media, Paje noted.

”The solid waste issue won’t be resolved unless households and others cooperate and follow the law,” Paje said.

Last week, DENR signed with each of several Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) the memorandum of agreement on promoting SWM.

Such LGUs are Caloocan City, Malabon City, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Marikina City, Pasay City, Pateros, Quezon City, Taguig City and Valenzuela City.

As provided for in the agreements, DENR will extend technical assistance and funding for helping LGUs concerned establish within a year SWM systems for homeowners' associations in subdivisions and condominiums across respective areas of jurisdiction.

Establishing such systems aims to help reduce Metro Manila's garbage volume which National Solid Waste Management Commission reported as already reaching over 8,700 tons daily.

The DENR reported 4,717 Metro Manila-based homeowners' associations were already identified for assistance.

The LGUs concerned will select the beneficiary-associations, provide over-all supervision in implementing the agreements with DENR and furnish quarterly accomplishment reports on the matter, respectively.

Paje is urging cooperation on such project so that the DENR and its partners can eventually concentrate on addressing garbage in the country’s informal settlements.

He believes addressing such problem is more complicated due to prevailing poverty there.

”I believe it’s not only a garbage issue but a social concern as well,” he said.

One of the issues in informal settlements is lack of sewerage facilities for proper disposal of waste.

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DepEd asked: Protect studes from blacklisted Taiwan’s products

With schools set to reopen next Monday, a toxic watchdog exhorted the Department of Education (DepEd) to initiate proactive measures that will protect students from health-damaging foods and drinks, especially blacklisted products from Taiwan.

“Now that we know which products from Taiwan are tainted with DEHP, we call upon our education officials to welcome the new academic year with an enthusiastic campaign on food safety,” said Roy Alvarez, President, EcoWaste Coalition.

The food safety awareness and action campaign, according to Alvarez, should be rolled out in collaboration with school administrators, teachers, non-teaching personnel, students, parents, and food service providers, concessionaires and vendors.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday released a tentative list of beverage and food products believed to be contaminated with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP, the dangerous chemical blamed for the still unfurling toxic food scandal in Taiwan.

“The campaign’s immediate objective should be to keep the tainted goods away from school canteens and snack kiosks, as well as convenience stores near schools,” Alvarez said.

“Just as important is the objective of educating parents, students and other stakeholders to shun unhealthy foods such as those laden with synthetic and toxic chemicals, and those high in fat, salt and sugar,” he added.

School officials should instigate urgent dialogues with canteen operators and food concessionaires to ensure that no DEHP-tainted goods are used or offered for sale to students, the EcoWaste Coalition suggested.

Convenience stores should in no way sell recalled goods or sell high-risk products from Taiwan that have no safety certifications, the group emphasized.

The EcoWaste Coalition also stressed the importance of parents exercising their right to be inquisitive if only to ensure that their children are not fed with injurious stuff.

“You have the undeniable right to ask for full product details, secure safety guarantee for your kids and get the best value for your hard-earned money,” Alvarez said.

Some of the items in the FDA-issued list of DEHP-tainted products from Taiwan include fruit juices, fruit juice powders, fruit concentrates, fruit candies, fruit tablets, fruit powders, sports drinks, teas, jelly and yoghurt. Jason Faustino

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DENR, local officials to enhance waste management in subdivisions, condos

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje forged a memorandum of agreement with 11 Metro Manila local government units for the establishment of appropriate ecological solid waste management systems for homeowners associations of subdivisions and condominiums.

Present during the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing were Caloocan City Mayor Enrico R. Echiverri; Pasay City Mayor Antonino G. Calixto; Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni L. Cayetano; Pateros Mayor Jaime C. Medina; Vice Mayor Dr. Jose Fabian Cadiz, representing Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman; City Administrator Ernesto Victorino, representing Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos, Jr; Engr. Reynaldo Amata, representing Malabon City Mayor Canuto Oreta; Roberto Darilag for Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian; Frederika Rentoy for Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista; Atty. Rafaelito Garayblas for Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, and City Administrator Nelson de Jesus for Paranaque City Mayor Florencio Bernabe, Jr.

The MOA signing forms part of the national celebration of World Environment Day on June 5.

“This partnership we forged with all local executives of Metro Manila is proof that the DENR is serious and relentless in the pursuit of our mandate in solid waste management, and we are committed to extend the necessary assistance to those who will help us implement it,” Paje said.

Paje said that under Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the responsibility of ESWM is lodged primarily on LGUs. Unfortunately, he lamented, more than a decade after the law was passed, waste management remains a top environmental problem in the country, especially in Metro Manila.

But, Paje said the agency is not losing hope. “We at the DENR remain optimistic we can solve the problem. The challenge is for all of us, particularly the local leaders, to find ways by which we could actually get all families, without exemption, in the act. The Department of Education has already integrated solid waste management in school curriculum to rally our youth in the campaign. This time, we will target the adults to be more responsible,” Paje stressed.

DENR is targeting the homeowners associations (HOAs), through the LGUs, as partners in implementing the law, particularly its provisions on waste segregation, with the aim of drastically reducing the amount of garbage thrown into sanitary landfills. In Metro Manila, a total of 4,717 HOAs have already been identified for assistance.

The MOA targets the establishment of an ESWM system in concerned barangays and HOAs within a period of one year. Such a system includes segregation at source, segregated collection, and establishment of a materials recovery facility (MRF). The HOAs should also have, within the same period, diverted at least 50 per cent of their waste, and publicized reports on issued ordinances, violations, and model practitioners.

The LGU for its part will, among others, be responsible for identifying a non-government or any private sector organization as partner in identifying the appropriate ESWM system to be adopted by the subdivisions or municipalities. It will also provide counterpart personnel, including “Environmental Police” in barangays, who will assist in the implementation of the technical, enforcement and financial aspects of the project.

Also under the MOA, the DENR will, through the NSWMC, provide the necessary technical support to the LGU and conduct overall coordination and monitoring.

The MOA is also schedule-specific on the submission of deliverables or outputs over a period of 12 months. These include quarterly reports on inception, liquidation of finances, waste diversion and assessment. The timetable also includes the schedule of releases for fund support earlier promised by the DENR to the LGUs.

According to the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), which the DENR secretary chairs, Metro Manila generates more than 8,700 tons of garbage daily, or around 25% of the country’s total daily generation of 35,000 tons.

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Iwasan ang mga school supplies na gawa sa PVC o poison plastic

Pasukan na naman. Abalang-abala na naman ang mga magulang sa pamimili ng mga gamit pang-eskwela ng kanilang mga anak gaya ng lunchbox, art supplies, bag, notebook, payong, at iba pa.

Subalit alam ba ninyo na marami sa mga ito ay may halo o gawa sa ipinagbabawal na polyvinyl chloride (PVC), o plastic number 3? Ang PVC, o ‘poison plastic’ ay delikado sa kalusugan at maging sa kalikasan dahil gumagamit ng cancer-causing chemicals para makabuo ng PVC. Sa pagkunsomo o paggamit ng PVC, maaaring matunaw sa tubig ang mga halong chemical kagaya ng cadmium, lead, organotins at phthalates. Sakaling kailangan sunugin ang PVC upang itapon o i-dispose, ito ay bumubuo naman ng dioxins.

Ang mga PVC softeners/plasticizers ay nagdudulot ng sakit kagaya ng asthma, autism, at mga problemang pang-developmental, nervous, reproductive and respiratory. Dahil dito, ipinagbawal na ng European Union at Estados Unidos ang paggamit ng PVC sa mga laruan ng mga bata kung kaya’t kailangan iwasan ang paggamit nito.

Subalit marami pa rin naglilipanang mga paninda dito sa PIlipinas na gawa sa PVC. Base sa pagsusuri ng EcoWaste Coalition, napag-alaman na mayroon DEHP ang ilang mga school supplies, kagaya ng green long plastic envelope, PVC plastic cover, PVC notebook cover, PVC plastic lunch bag, at PVC backpack. Ang DEHP ay isang human carcinogen na ginagamit sa paggawa ng PVC, at ito rin ang kemikal na laman ng mga pagkain mula sa Taiwan na ipinagbabawal ngayon ng Food & Drug Administration.

At ngayon ngang pasukan na naman, siguraduhin na bumili lamang ng mga school supplies na walang PVC.

Narito ang ilang tips sa mga magulang sa pagbili ng PVC-free school supplies ngayong pasukan:

Basahing mabuti ang itiketa ng mga bibilihin upang makasiguro.

Iwasan ang mga modeling clays na gawa sa PVC. Huwag bumili ng mga bag o backpacks na mayroon makintab na plastic designs dahil kadalasan ay may halo itong PVC at lead. Gayun din sa mga kapote, rainboots, handbags, jewelry, sinturon, at mga prints sa damit ng mga bata. Iwasan din ang payong na makintab at makukulay na gawa sa plastic dahil kadalasan ito ay gawa sa PVC. Bumili ng payong na gawa sa nylon.

Bumili lamang ng mga lunchboxes na gawa sa metal. Karamihan kasi sa mga plastic na lunch box ay gawa sa PVC o coated ng PVC. Sa pagbabalot naman ng mga baon o pagkain ng inyong mga anak, gumamit lamang ng PVC-free food wrap o butcher paper, wax paper, o cellulose bags.

Sa mga school supplies naman kagaya ng notebook at organizer, address book, iwasan ang mga spirals na coated ng colored plastic. Kadalasan ay gawa sa PVC ang plastic coating. Maging ang mga colored paper clips na ginagamit din sa mga opisina ay coated ng PVC kung kaya’t mas mabuti na gamitin ang plain metal paperclips.

Ito ay ilan lamang sa mga paalala sa mga mamimili ngayong pasukan upang maging ligtas sa kalusugan at makatulong sa kapiligiran.

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EcoWaste Coalition Honors Taiwanese food safety inspector who detected DEHP contamination

The EcoWaste Coalition on Friday gave a "Salamat Po" award to the woman behind the massive recall of Taiwanese beverage and food products containing a cancer-causing industrial chemical.

Citing latest available data from Taiwan's official website, the toxic watchdog reported that a total of 746 products from 216 companies have been listed as contaminated with di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP plasticizer.

In a simple event held outside the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Makati City, Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the Philippines, the environmentalists symbolically presented the award to “Mrs. Yang,” the Taiwanese food safety inspector, “for her perseverance in protecting the public good.”

Wearing traditional Chinese costumes, the environmentalists commended the 52-year old employee of Taiwan’s Department of Health - Food and Drug Administration (DOH-FDA) for her professional dedication that led to the detection of DEHP, a toxic substance used as plasticizer, in some Taiwanese drinks and foods.

“Mrs. Yang” was identified by Lo Chi-fang, Secretary-General of DOH-FDA, as the person responsible for detecting the DEHP contamination, refusing to disclose "Mrs. Yang's" complete name to protect her privacy.

“In the face of the snowballing toxic food crisis in Taiwan, we take a breather to say ‘salamat po’ to ‘Mrs. Yang’ for her priceless service to public health and safety,” said retired nurse Elsie Brandes-De Veyra of the EcoWaste Coalition, which is campaigning for consumer access to information and consumer protection against hazardous chemicals in goods.

The "Salamat Po" award stated that “through the faithful performance of her duty, Mrs. Yang has prevented the distribution and sale of more DEHP-tainted products in Taiwan and in importing countries like the Philippines, thus reducing consumer exposure to the cancer-causing DEHP, a toxic additive to plastics.”

“Mrs. Yang’s meticulous and faithful performance of her job as a food safety inspector should be emulated by all public servants, especially by government officials and employees charged with ensuring that manufacturers and businesses fully comply with health and environmental laws such as those regulating chemical substances in products,” the award text noted.

“Mrs. Yang is an exemplary model of a conscientious government regulator that every society needs in order to eliminate toxic threats to public health - particularly to the most vulnerable population groups - and the environment,” the award further stated.

“We hope her action will inspire increased consumer vigilance against toxic harm and bring about lasting chemical reforms in our societies, including the implementation of toxics use reduction and clean production, food traceability processes and good manufacturing audits, for the sake of public health and safety,” the award emphasized.

At the same time, the EcoWaste Coalition lauded the decision by local food and drug regulators led by FDA Director Suzette Lazo to protect local consumers from DEHP exposure with the issuance of FDA Advisory 2011-008, which directs the immediate recall of tainted goods from Taiwan.

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Environment group lauds Taiwanese inspector for detecting DEHP in food products

To mark the World Environment Day, the EcoWaste Coalition on Friday gave a “Salamat Po” award to the woman behind the massive recall of Taiwanese beverage and food products containing a cancer-causing industrial chemical.

Citing latest available data from the Taiwan’s official website, the toxic watchdog reported that a total of 746 products from 216 companies have been listed as contaminated with di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP plasticizer.

In a simple event held outside the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Makati City, Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the Philippines, the environmentalists symbolically presented the award to “Mrs. Yang,” the Taiwanese food safety inspector, “for her perseverance in protecting the public good.”

Wearing traditional Chinese costumes, the environmentalists commended the 52-year old employee of Taiwan’s Department of Health – Food and Drug Administration (DOH-FDA) for her professional dedication that led to the detection of DEHP, a toxic substance used as plasticizer, in some Taiwanese drinks and foods.

“Mrs. Yang” was identified by Lo Chi-fang, Secretary-General of DOH-FDA, as the person responsible for detecting the DEHP contamination, refusing to disclose “Mrs. Yang’s” complete name to protect her privacy.

“In the face of the snowballing toxic food crisis in Taiwan, we take a breather to say ‘salamat po’ to ‘Mrs. Yang’ for her priceless service to public health and safety,” said retired nurse Elsie Brandes-De Veyra of the EcoWaste Coalition, which is campaigning for consumer access to information and for consumer protection against hazardous chemicals in goods.

The “Salamat Po” award stated that “through the faithful performance of her duty, Mrs. Yang has prevented the distribution and sale of more DEHP-tainted products in Taiwan and in importing countries like the Philippines, thus reducing consumer exposure to the cancer-causing DEHP, a toxic additive to plastics.”

“Mrs. Yang’s meticulous and faithful performance of her job as a food safety inspector should be emulated by all public servants, especially by government officials and employees charged with ensuring that manufacturers and businesses fully comply with health and environmental laws such as those regulating chemical substances in products,” the award text noted.

“Mrs. Yang is an exemplary model of a conscientious government regulator that every society needs in order to eliminate toxic threats to public health – particularly to the most vulnerable population groups – and the environment,” the award further stated.

“We hope her action will inspire increased consumer vigilance against toxic harm and bring about lasting chemical reforms in our societies, including the implementation of toxics use reduction and clean production, food traceability processes and good manufacturing audits, for the sake of public health and safety,” the award emphasized.

At the same time, the EcoWaste Coalition lauded the decision by local food and drug regulators led by FDA Director Suzette Lazo to protect local consumers from DEHP exposure with the issuance of FDA Advisory 2011-008, which directs the immediate recall of tainted goods from Taiwan.

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Eco group asks DepEd to take steps vs DEHP-tainted products

An environmental group asked the Department of Education (DepEd) to take measures to protect students from food items tainted with DEHP or di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.

The EcoWaste Coalition said the DepEd can now take action now that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified the products suspected of being contaminated with DEHP.

DEHP, a suspected carcinogen, can damage the kidneys, liver and lungs, and cause reproductive and developmental disorders such as underdeveloped penises and testicles in boys and early puberty in girls.

“Now that we know which products from Taiwan are tainted with DEHP, we call upon our education officials to welcome the new academic year with an enthusiastic campaign on food safety," EcoWaste president Roy Alvarez said in a blog post.

He added the food safety awareness and action campaign should be rolled out in collaboration with school administrators, teachers, non-teaching personnel, students, parents, and food service providers, concessionaires and vendors.

On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a tentative list of products believed to be contaminated with DEHP.

Alvarez said the campaign’s immediate objective should be to keep the tainted goods away from school canteens, snack kiosks, and convenience stores near schools.

The group also said school officials should initiate dialogues with canteen operators and food concessionaires to ensure that no DEHP-tainted goods are used or offered for sale to students.

On the other hand, it said convenience stores should not be allowed to sell recalled goods or high-risk products from Taiwan that have no safety certifications.

It added parents should exercise their right to be inquisitive if only to ensure that their children are not fed with the tainted items.

“You have the undeniable right to ask for full product details, secure safety guarantee for your kids and get the best value for your hard-earned money," Alvarez said.

EcoWaste also sought a crackdown of sorts on other unhealthy foods.

“Just as important is the objective of educating parents, students and other stakeholders to shun unhealthy foods such as those laden with synthetic and toxic chemicals, and those high in fat, salt and sugar," he said.

FDA advisory

In an advisory on Wednesday, the FDA listed the products, "whether registered or not with the FDA," that will be recalled and disposed of.

The FDA said products registered but not identified in the list shall be withdrawn from the market, and laboratory analysis will be required from them to confirm the absence of DEHP.

Only then shall these products be allowed for redistribution, it added.

The full list can be downloaded from the FDA website at http://www.bfad.gov.ph.

On Wednesday afternoon, the FDA uploaded a summary of implicated products worldwide, which included products from Taiwan to Singapore, Hong Kong, Xiamen and Beijing (China), and Canada.

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DepEd urged to bolster steps to protect kids from DEHP-tainted products

With schools set to reopen on June 6, a toxic watchdog exhorted the Department of Education (DepEd) to initiate proactive measures that will protect students from health-damaging foods and drinks, especially the blacklisted products from Taiwan.

“Now that we know which products from Taiwan are tainted with DEHP, we call upon our education officials to welcome the new academic year with an enthusiastic campaign on food safety," said Roy Alvarez, EcoWaste coalition president.

The food safety awareness and action campaign, according to Alvarez, should be rolled out in collaboration with school administrators, teachers, non-teaching personnel, students, parents, and food service providers, concessionaires and vendors.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday released a tentative list of beverage and food products believed to be contaminated with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP, the dangerous chemical blamed for the still unfurling toxic food scandal in Taiwan.

“The campaign’s immediate objective should be to keep the tainted goods away from school canteens and snack kiosks, as well as convenience stores near schools,” Alvarez said.

“Just as important is the objective of educating parents, students and other stakeholders to shun unhealthy foods such as those laden with synthetic and toxic chemicals, and those high in fat, salt and sugar," he added.

School officials should instigate urgent dialogues with canteen operators and food concessionaires to ensure that no DEHP-tainted goods are used or offered for sale to students, the EcoWaste Coalition suggested.

Convenience stores should in no way sell recalled goods or sell high-risk products from Taiwan that have no safety certifications, the group emphasized.

The EcoWaste Coalition also stressed the importance of parents exercising their right to be inquisitive if only to ensure that their children are not fed with injurious stuff.

“You have the undeniable right to ask for full product details, secure safety guarantee for your kids and get the best value for your hard-earned money,” Alvarez said.

Some of the items in the FDA-issued list of DEHP-tainted products from Taiwan include fruit juices, fruit juice powders, fruit concentrates, fruit candies, fruit tablets, fruit powders, sports drinks, teas, jelly and yoghurt.

DEHP, a suspected carcinogen, can damage the kidneys, liver and lungs, and cause reproductive and developmental disorders such as underdeveloped penises and testicles in boys and early puberty in girls.

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FDA says ‘high-risk’ food items have harmful chemical DEHP

With school opening in a few days, families shopping for snacks and “baon” for students should read food labels carefully.

The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) issued an alert for “high-risk” food products from Taiwan that contain the potentially harmful chemical Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).

Supermarkets and retail stores will be asked to temporarily remove Taiwan-made “sports drinks, fruit juices and soft drinks”—until tests are conducted to determine if they are safe for public consumption, said the FDA advisory.

No brand names were cited since the government agency is still awaiting for a list of names from FDA counterparts in Taiwan.

In Manila, watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition went out and bought 30 bottles of various Taiwan-made beverages from grocery stores and supermarkets and posted a photo of the products in their blog.

The coalition urged the FDA to go beyond “monitoring” in the wake of the food-safety scandal in Taiwan, and to order all vendors to immediately stop selling until tests prove the products are DEHP-free and safe for human consumption.

The Taiwanese government last week ordered a massive recall of six categories of beverage and food products suspected of being tainted with DEHP—fruit juices, sports drinks, teas, fruit jams and preserves, food powders, and food or food supplement tablets.

As a further precautionary step, the Taiwanese government has likewise ordered schools to remove such products from canteens, candy shops and vending machines until they are proven safe, the EcoWaste Coalition said. In Manila, FDA Deputy Director Nazarita Tacandong said they have started collecting samples of juices for laboratory testing.

In its May 27 advisory, FDA Acting Director Suzette H. Lazo described DEHP as a substance used as a “plasticizer” in the making of medical devices like intravenous bags and tubing, blood bags and infusion tubing, and nasogastric tubes. High doses or prolonged exposure can have harmful effects.

“Children are especially prone to the harmful effects of high doses of DEHP or to repeated exposure, which can lead to testicular effects, fertility problems and toxicity to kidneys,” said Lazo.

Taiwanese authorities discovered that DEHP had been illegally added to a food product raw material known as “cloudy agent” used for emulsification. The Taiwan government informed the Department of Health that the material may have been imported to the Philippines by a company. Authorities are trying to trace the local counterpart of this company.

Among the products pulled out from store shelves in Taiwan are energy drinks, bottled tea and juices, fruit jam, and fruit jelly with ingredients made by Yu Shen Chemical Company.

The Taiwan FDA website identified the contaminated products as:
-Nature House Lactic Acid Bacteria (apple vinegar-flavored lactic acid powder) produced by King Car Group;
-Skinny Dietary Drinks by Chang Gung Biotechnology Corp.;
-Taiwan Sugar Ginger Clam Tablets by Taiwan Sugar Corporation; and,
-Dongli Sports Drinks and Dongli Lemon Sports Drinks.

As of May 27, the Taiwan FDA reported that “up to 465,638 bottles of DEHP-tainted beverages have been pulled out from store shelves. Also, up to 270,822 boxes and 68,924 packs of powdered probiotics and 28,539 kilos of fruit juices, fruit jam, powder and syrup, and yoghurt powder have been removed from shelves,” according to EcoWaste Coalition, an environment watchdog.

The group said that to date, close to 500 product items manufactured by 155 Taiwanese food and drink companies have been found to contain DEHP.

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Albay’s ‘Plastic Ban’ campaign starts in June

Albay province will start implementing the ban on the use of plastics ordinance in June that will lead to full enforcement of its provisions by March 2012.

The ban will start with an information and education campaign (IEC).

According to Gov. Joey Salceda, “Plastic ban in Albay will take effect on March 2012 and Board Member Arnold Embestro, who is the chairman of the Committee on Environment, will lead a massive IEC campaign starting June 2011.”

Learning from China, "white pollution" refers to plastic bags. "Bookstores and pharmacies will be forbidden to give out free plastic bags, supermarkets have had to charge for shopping bags since June 1, 2008 when China also banned the production, sale and use of ultra-thin plastic bags, becoming one of only a few nations around the world to take such tough measures,” Salceda said.

Salceda said the Albay version is positively being welcome by his constituents.

One of them, Donnaven Arizapa, a daughter of a sari-sari store operator in this city commented “what my mom does is to reuse plastic bags as container for retailing charcoal, she has been practicing this even before the inception of the ordinance.”

Embestro said Albay in its desire to reduce if not totally eliminate the use of plastic bags as packaging materials, encourages the utilization of alternative packaging materials such as woven native bags (bayong), reusable cloth shopping bags (katsa), paper bags and other similar materials (banana leaves, taro leaves, etc.) and, at the same time, enjoying the promotion of the “MAGDARA nin SADIRiNG KAAGAN Program”(MSKP) (bring your own bag program).

The ordinance aims to lessen plastic pollution and boost environment protection, and in the interest of public health and safety.

Any establishments found violating the provision of this ordinance shall be penalized: first offense - written notice of warning; second offense - P2,000 fine and recommendation for 15 days temporary suspension of business permit; third offense - P3,000 fine and recommendation for 30 days temporary suspension of business permit and fourth offense - recommendation for cancellation of business permit.

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Chinatown stores asked to stop selling Taiwan food products

An environmental group is urging store owners in Chinatown in Binondo, Manila, to be on the alert for contaminated Taiwan-made food products following a recent Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) warning.

The FDA recently advised the public to avoid Taiwanese fruit jams and preserves, fruit juices, sports drinks, teas, food powders and food or food supplement tablets, while the Taiwan government has yet to identify products illegally containing Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a plastic-making chemical that can be dangerous when ingested in high doses.

The chemical could cause infertility and block development of male sex organs, FDA officials said.

Earlier this month, Taiwan issued a major recall of products, including more than 460,000 bottles of sports drinks and fruit juice, over fears they contained the chemical widely used in manufacturing PVC products.

Taipei warned Manila last week that DEHP could have been illegally added to food products that were exported to the Philippines.

On Tuesday morning, the EcoWaste Coalition went from store to store in Chinatown, bearing placards in Chinese and English that said “Don’t sell unless proven DEHP–free.”

They stopped by stores from Binondo Church to Sta. Cruz Church, weaving their way through Ongpin, Carvajal, Salazar, Masangkay, T. Alonzo and T. Mapua streets.

They gave supermarkets, groceries and drug stores a list of DEHP–contaminated products downloaded from the Taiwanese government website, and asked the sellers to pull out “high-risk” Taiwanese products from their shelves.

In a statement, Aileen Lucero, chemical safety campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition, appealed to “all importers, distributors, and vendors of high-risk beverage, food and medicinal goods from Taiwan to temporarily stop from selling such products until consumer safety from DEHP is totally guaranteed.”

“To date, almost 500 product items manufactured by 155 Taiwanese food and drink companies have been found to contain DEHP,” EcoWaste said in a statement.

The group also advised sellers that products that fail to secure DEHP-free certifications should be returned to importers or distributors for safe disposal.

The FDA had earlier warned that DEHP, especially when taken by children, could lead to testicular defects, kidney and fertility problems, and even cancer.

The FDA is monitoring some imported Taiwanese sport drinks, fruit juices and soft drinks that Taipei said may contain excessive amounts of DEHP, FDA spokesperson Jesusa Joyce Cirunay said.

“Our government has asked Taiwan for a list, and we are tracking these products,” she added.

Cirunay did not name the brands on the list, saying no traces of DEHP contamination have been found and there have been no reports of people falling ill in the Philippines.

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