Green Groups Urge DENR, DFA to Work for Expedited Senate Ratification of the Mercury Treaty

Environmental health and justice groups  are urging the government to expedite the ratification of a global treaty that seeks to reduce mercury emissions and releases in the  Philippines and across the planet.

At the simultaneous meetings of its General Assembly last Friday in  Quezon City, Cebu City and Davao City, the EcoWaste Coalition unanimously adopted a resolution urging the government to immediately initiate a process leading to the eventual ratification of the  Minamata Convention on Mercury by the Senate.

"We particularly urge the Department of Environment and Natural  Resources (DENR) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to jointly work for the expedited ratification of the treaty by our  senators," said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste  Coalition.

The Convention provides for controls and reductions across a range of  products, processes and industries where mercury is used, released or emitted, the EcoWaste Coalition said.

"Despite its limitations, the treaty signifies a global agreement that  action is required to minimize, if not eliminate, mercury emissions and releases from human activities.  Its expedited ratification and
implementation will be beneficial to public health and the  environment," Lucero pointed out.

"We likewise urge the government to learn and apply the lessons from  the Minamata mercury tragedy, including the necessity of applying the precautionary principle, to prevent the mercury poisoning of our communities and peoples," she added.

According to the groups, the Convention will not reach its potential  unless it comes into force and, along with it, the financial resources, capacity building, technical assistance and technology
transfer needed by developing countries like the Philippines to  effectively implement it.

The groups further urged the government to strengthen existing  programs and initiate new ones to curb mercury pollution even before it is ratified and comes into force with the ratification of at least
50 countries.

Also, the DENR was requested to embark on a consultative process to  update and fortify the Chemical Control Order for Mercury and Mercury Compounds it promulgated in 1997 with stronger mercury prevention and reduction provisions.

The DENR was likewise urged to lead the multi-stakeholder process to  identify national mercury pollution sources and the corresponding plans to address them, including ensuring the environmentally-sound management of mercury-containing waste, their collection, storage,
treatment and disposal, and banning mercury imports.

Such process should lead to the creation of a multi-stakeholder  coordinating body that will ensure that policies and actions on various mercury pollution sources make sense, synchronized, and
efficient.

In addition, Ban Toxics called for the coordinated action by the DENR,  Department of Interior and Local Government and the Bureau of Customs to put an end to the decades long illegal mercury trade that is causing massive mercury contamination in the countryside because of  its rampant use in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector.

"Unless the burgeoning illegal mercury trade is stopped at the ports  and points of distribution, efforts to eliminate mercury use in the sector by government agencies and concerned stakeholders will continue to be undermined," said Atty. Richard Gutierrez, Executive Director,  Ban Toxics.

It further suggested that the government  immediately conducts regular  monitoring of possible mercury hotspots, bio-monitors exposed populations to mercury contamination, and monitors mercury levels in seafood and to share the results of their monitoring through effective  and far-reaching advisories prioritizing sensitive populations, such as children, women of child-bearing age, and coastal communities.

The treaty text was adopted in Geneva, Switzerland in January 2013 and  was formally signed at a diplomatic conference in Kumamoto, Japan in October 2013.

DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje signed  the Convention on behalf of the  Government of the Philippines.  The treaty has since been signed by 96 countries, including the European Union.

The United States of America became the first country to ratify the  treaty in November 2013.  To enter into force, a minimum of 50 countries have to ratify it.

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EcoWaste Coalition Urges Protection of Women and the Nation's Future against Toxic Pollutants (Watchdog Thumbs Down Re-Branded Incinerators, Slams Green Washing of Waste Burners)

 In observance of the International Women’s Day, environmental and health advocates belonging to the EcoWaste Coalition today called for the protection of women, bearers of the nation’s future, against nasty pollutants from the incineration of trash.

At a conference organized by the EcoWaste Coalition at the Bulwagang Amoranto of the Quezon City Hall, women donning “pregnant bellies” and gas masks stood in front of a huge banner that says “Huwag Magsunog” to dramatize the adverse health impacts of burning trash, which can lead to the formation and release of highly toxic chemical byproducts called dioxins that can cause reproductive and developmental impairments, harm the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.

Dioxins, which are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), have been linked to reproductive problems affecting men and women of child-bearing age, with the developing fetus and the newborn being most sensitive to dioxin exposure.

“Protecting our women from being exposed to dioxins and other environmental toxins is our shared responsibility as exposure to these substances can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, birth defects and disorders and other pregnancy complications, impacting both maternal and child health,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

Speaking at the conference, Lee Bell, a visiting toxics policy expert from Australia, cautioned the audience against the green washing of waste incinerators, now called “waste-to-energy” or WtE ‘green energy’ power plants,” as he asked them to “retain the far-sighted and ecologically-sustainable” ban on waste incineration under R.A. 8749, the Clean Air Act and R.A. 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Bell warned that “even when incinerators can ‘control’ most of their emissions with sophisticated scrubbing devices the toxic materials are eventually transferred to the incinerator ash.” 

He also drew attention to nanoparticles, which are not efficiently captured by air pollution control devices.  Nanoparticles travel long distances, remain suspended for long periods of time and penetrate deep into the lungs.

“To boost sales, incinerator companies have employed a public relations campaign, taking advantage of concerns over climate change, to re-brand waste incinerators as ‘green energy’ power plants and not as waste disposal plants,” Bell said.

“However much of the high calorific value waste material they seek to burn, such as plastics, is based on fossil fuels and cannot be termed renewable. They also destroy the embedded energy of the discarded products they burn,” he explained.

“There are much better ways to maximise recovery of resources from waste while saving energy, protecting the climate, improving agriculture, and creating jobs than to lock your country into decades of waste incineration,” he said.

“Many developed countries have fallen into the incineration trap and are now struggling to break free of it.  You are in a unique position to avoid this dead-end waste policy and move rapidly to a more sustainable society through zero waste practices,” he said.

“We cannot burn our way out of climate change. Ultimately solar, wind and wave energy combined with a zero waste strategy are the solutions to climate change,” he emphasized.

“And for the sake of your children’s future please retain your far-sighted and ecologically sustainable laws preventing the incineration of wastes,” he pleaded.

“You won’t regret it in the long term!,” he concluded.

Bell has a master’s degree on ecologically sustainable development from Murdoch University and is associated with the Alliance for a Clean Environment and the National Toxics Network in Australia, and IPEN, a global civil society network for a toxics-free future.

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Additional Information

“Short-term exposure of humans to high levels of dioxins may result in skin lesions, such as chloracne and patchy darkening of the skin, and altered liver function. Long-term exposure is linked to impairment of the immune system, the developing nervous system, the endocrine system and reproductive functions.”

Source: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs225/en/

Cebu LGUs Cautioned against Waste-to-Energy Incinerators (Stakeholders Tackle Technology Options on Waste Management)

Cebu City.  Some 50 representatives of various local government units (LGUs) in Cebu province, Office of the Environmental Ombudsman-Visayas, as well as environmental and health advocates from the civil society today converged at the Cebu Provincial Capitol to critically look at waste-to-energy (WtE) incineration schemes that have penetrated the country, including Cebu.

The multi-stakeholder forum was initiated by the Cebu-based Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC), Freedom From Debt Coalition-Cebu, the Quezon City-based EcoWaste Coalition and local partners to increase awareness and support for low cost, ecological and sustainable non-burn technologies that will support and protect the incineration ban under the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) and the Clean Air Act (RA 8749), which is being threatened by regressive legislative bills and WtE schemes.

Lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, PEJC Co-Trustee and Co-Founder, specifically mentioned House Bill 3161 filed by Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice, which seeks to amend Section 20 of the Clean Air Act to allow the use of incinerators to burn municipal, bio-medical and hazardous wastes.

“This is downright regression reflecting the government’s utter lack of political will and its obsession with quick fixes instead of genuinely enforcing our progressive environmental policies,” she said.

“If only firmly and correctly enforced, RA 9003 could efficiently reduce the volume and toxicity of waste and tone down, if not reverse, prevailing throw‐away mentality.  Instead of lifting the incineration ban and opting for quick fixes, the government should strengthen the enforcement of the ban, including increasing penalties for non-performing officials and violators,” she said.

Aside from seeking support against regressive policy measures, she cautioned LGUs against embracing WtE hook, line and sinker, warning that such projects might only exacerbate the province’s battle with garbage and pollution, aside from violating existing laws.

Visiting toxics policy expert Lee Bell from Australia echoed Ramos’ statement, maintaining that “the people of the Philippines should be proud of their laws banning waste incineration and should be cautious against deceptive WtE projects.”

“The incineration ban gives your country a chance to leap frog expensive and polluting incinerator technologies and move toward zero waste practices and a sustainable society. It would be a backward step to reverse these laws,” added Bell.

“There are much better ways to maximize recovery of resources from waste while saving energy, improving agriculture and creating jobs than to lock your county into decades of waste incineration,” explained Bell.

“Many developed countries fell into this trap and are now struggling to break free of it. The Philippines is in a unique position to avoid the dead-end waste policy of incineration and move rapidly to a more competitive and sustainable society through zero waste practices,” he added.

The EcoWaste Coalition has invited Lee Bell of Western Australia to share his scientific and technical expertise and campaigning experience on waste-to-energy, incineration and other pollution issues in a series of fora and meetings from March 4 to 7 in Cebu and Quezon Cities.

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Visiting Toxics Campaigner Cautions Against Investments in Emerging “Hi-Tech” Disposal Technologies

Quezon City. A significant step geared towards the adoption of ecological waste management innovations in the Philippines has taken place today as over 50 participants from various local government units and national government agencies, as well as civil society groups took part in a timely environmental forum.

The multi-stakeholder forum was convened by the EcoWaste Coalition to increase critical  awareness among policy makers and implementors on waste-to-energy incineration  technologies and  build support for low-cost, ecological and sustainable non-burn alternatives that will accelerate  the full implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) and the Clean Air Act (RA 8749).

Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition explained the need to “uphold the incineration ban under RA 8749 and RA 9003 amidst regressive legislative measures that can only exacerbate instead of solving the nation’s lingering problems with garbage and pollution.”

Lucero specifically cited House Bill 3161, introduced by Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice, which seeks to amend Section 20 of RA 8749 to allow the use of incinerators to burn municipal, bio-medical and hazardous wastes in light of the country’s garbage disposal problems.

“Incinerating discards turns valuable resources into hazardous ash and smoke poisoning communities near and afar with pollutants that are difficult and expensive to deal with,” said Lucero.

“The combustion process releases a range of harmful chemical byproducts depending on the makeup of materials burned. For example, burning chlorinated materials such as polyvinyl chloride plastics generates super toxic substances, including confirmed carcinogens like dioxins and furans.  In addition, waste incineration discharges toxic metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury, as well as greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, which contribute to global climate change,” she explained.

Visiting toxics policy expert Lee Bell from Australia echoed Lucero’s statement, maintaining that “the people of the Philippines should be proud of their laws banning waste incineration.”

“Communities and governments around the world regard the incineration ban as a progressive policy which gives your country a chance to leap frog expensive and polluting incinerator technologies and move toward zero waste practices and a sustainable society. It would be a backward step to reverse these laws,” added Bell.

Nascent technologies such as waste-to-energy incineration schemes have gradually made its way at the local scene in the recent years despite efforts by environmental and health groups to expose them as “incinerators in disguise,” contravening RA 9003 and RA 8749.

“There are much better ways to maximize recovery of resources from waste while saving energy, improving agriculture and creating jobs than to lock your county into decades of waste incineration,” explained Bell.

“Many developed countries fell into this trap and are now struggling to break free of it. The Philippines is in a unique position to avoid the dead-end waste policy of incineration and move rapidly to a more competitive and sustainable society through zero waste practices,” he added.

The EcoWaste Coalition has invited Lee Bell of Western Australia to share his scientific and technical expertise and campaigning experience on waste-to-energy, incineration and other pollution issues in a series of fora and meetings from March 4 to 7 in Quezon City and Cebu City.

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PNP Urged to Issue Directive Banning the Smashing of Confiscated Gambling TVs and Other Electronic Devices

 Danny Pata, GMA News TV

 Eddie Leanillo, Remate

 PIA

 PIA

Strike Jem, Mindanao Magazine

A waste and pollution watchdog group today requested the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stop the polluting practice of breaking impounded TVs and other electronic devices used in illicit gambling activities.

In a letter sent to Police Director-General Alan La Madrid Purisima, the group rebuffed the common practice of physically trashing illegal gambling apparatuses with sledgehammers, warning that mayors and police officials may be inadvertently turning a police matter into a health and environmental issue.

The letter, which was also sent to Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, PNP Public Information Office (PNP-PIO) Director Reuben Theodore Sindac and National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Carmelo Valmoria, was prompted by the destruction last week of over 100 video karera (VK) machines at the NCRPO headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

The EcoWaste Coalition recalled that 112 VK machines were also destroyed in Camp Bagong Diwa in March of last year, citing a published article at the PNP website.

“While commending the PNP for its relentless campaign against unlawful gambling operations, please allow us to express our legitimate objection over the unsafe manner of manually destroying the VK machines, particularly the TV sets, using sledgehammers.,” wrote Thony Dizon, Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect.

Dizon explained that gambling TVs, specifically the old analog TV sets, are loaded with harmful chemicals such as cadmium, lead, mercury and brominated flame retardants, to name a few.

The inappropriate destruction of gambling TVs causes their hazardous components to be dispersed not only in the immediate surroundings, but even in far-flung dumpsites and landfills where these are finally disposed of and thus contaminating the water, air and soil, he said.

According to “Poison PCs and Toxic TVs,” “each computer or television display contains an average of 4 to 8 pounds of lead.” 

“When these components are illegally disposed and crushed in landfills, the lead is released into the environment, posing a hazardous legacy for current and future generations…  These heavy metals and other hazardous substances found in electronics can contaminate groundwater and pose other environmental and public health risks,” it said.

The group also pointed out that some gambling machines may be coated with leaded paint, warning that improper destruction will disturb the lead-containing paint, creating and scattering toxic chips and dust that pose a health hazard to kids and adults alike.    

Instead of smashing TVs and other devices used in illegal gaming activities, the EcoWaste Coalition requested the PNP to:

1.  Issue a clear directive prohibiting the improper destruction of video karera gambling machines, particularly TV sets, by the use of mallets, sledgehammers and other devices, as well as by dumping or burning them.

2. Send the confiscated TVs and other electronic gambling paraphernalia to hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) facilities duly accredited by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau for proper dismantling and recycling.

3.  Donate undamaged and functional TV sets to needy schools and charitable institutions.

“As a replacement for the customary sledgehammer photo op, our local government and police officials could simply hand over the seized equipment to a registered TSD facility operator and that would be enough to deliver the message, in a non-polluting way, that the PNP is ready to apply the full force of the law versus illegal gambling,” the EcoWaste Coalition said.

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References:

http://pnp.gov.ph/portal/index.php/press-news-releases/more-media-news/38-regional/973-ncrpo-destructs-112-video-karera-machines-encourage-the-public-to-report

http://svtc.org/wp-content/uploads/ppc-ttv1.pdf