EcoWaste Coalition Seeks Definite Date for the Re-Export of Korean Garbage to Its Source
Filipinos remind the Korean government to keep its promise of repatriating the garbage shipments "as soon as possible."
The environmental health and justice group, EcoWaste
Coalition, is seeking a clear-cut date for the return of the 6,500 tons of
illegal garbage exported from South Korea.
Through an e-mail sent yesterday to the Embassy of the
Republic of Korea, the EcoWaste Coalition
requested Ambassador Han Dong-man to confirm the exact date when the
garbage shipments will be removed from Misamis Oriental, which the group
insisted should happen before Christmas Day.
The group’s insistence to have the garbage re-exported
before Christmas is based on the assurance given by South Korean authorities
affirming, “that it would take measures to have the wastes in question be
brought back to Korea as soon as possible.”
“Almost one month has passed since South Korean
authorities promised to return the illegal wastes as soon as possible,” said
Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition. “Our
exasperating experience with the illegal trash imports from Canada, which are
still stranded in our country, has taught us how important it is to have a
defined date. That’s why we want the South Korean government to give us a 2018
return date and keep its promise for expedited action.”
In her letter to Ambassador Han Dong-man, Lucero said that
“the removal of the Korean garbage from Mindanao will be your great country’s
best Christmas gift to our nation and people.”
Bureau of Customs (BOC) Region X Port Collector John
Simon had confirmed with the EcoWaste Coalition that the garbage “is now ready
for pick-up and repatriation back to Korea.”
The BOC on December 6 issued the “Re-Exportation Order” for the garbage
that it has described as “misdeclared, heterogenous and injurious to public
health.”
A copy of the said “Re-Exportation Order” was also
provided to the South Korean Embassy during the “Keep your promise” caroling
action organized by the EcoWaste Coalition at the embassy gates last Thursday, December 13.
According to the statement by the Korean government,
“[Korean] Ministry of Environment on November 21 initiated legal procedure to
have the wastes in question in the Philippines be brought back in accordance
with Article 20 of the Law on Cross-border movement and Disposal of
Wastes—Prior Notice of Repatriation Order—and embarked on investigation of the
violation of Article 18-2 of the said law—False Export Declaration.”
The Embassy also noted that: “Relevant authorities of
Korea will have the wastes in question be repatriated and properly disposed and
work to prevent recurrence of the problem.”
-end-
Reference:
http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_20312/view.do?seq=14
Comments