1st National Roundtable Discussion
International
Day of Action
Stockholm Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants
Downtown, Rembrandt
Hotel, T. Morato Ave., Q.C., May 23, 2002
May 23, 2002
Guest of
Honor:
Congressman Edward Veloso
1st
Dist., Leyte
Chairman,
House Committee on Natural Resources
Panelists:
Ms
Angelita Brabante
Chief,
Environmental Management Bureau
DENR
Ms
Alexandra Pablo
Supervising Science Research Specialist
Department
of Science & Technology
Dr.
Aleli Sudiacal
Environment & Occupational Health Division
Department
of Health
Dr.
Dario Sabularse
Deputy
Executive Director
Fertilizer
and Pesticides Authority
Department
of Agriculture
Von
Hernandez
Greenpeace
International
Ms
Antoniette Aristoza
Committee-Secretary
Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations
Facilitator:
Ms
O'lola Ann Z. Olib
Executive
Director
People's
Task Force for Bases Cleanup
Participating
Organizations:
Metro Manila Area
Global
Alliance for Incineration Alternatives
Greenpeace
International
Philippine
Greens
Concerned
Citizens Against Pollution
Mother
Earth Unlimited
Recycling
Movement of the Philippines
Health
Care Without Harm
Gathering
for Peace
Nuclear
Free Philippines Coalition
Lingkod
Tao Kalikasan
Balik-Kalikasan
Health
Alliance for Development
Community
Health & Development
Miriam
P.E.A.C.E.
Caritas-Manila
Catholic
Bishop's Conference of the Phil., NASA
UNIDEN
Luzon Area
Cavite
Greens Coalition
Metro
Clark Toxic Waste Victims Association, Pampanga
Metro
Subic Toxic Waste Victims Association, Zambales
Subic
Asbestosis Victims Association, Olongapo City
Buklod-Tao,
Inc., Montalban, Rizal
KKA,
Angeles City
Social
Action Center, Antipolo City
IMA
Foundation, Angeles City
Mindanao Area
Peace
Gathering Coalition, Zamnboanga & Basilan Cities
Amnesty
International, Zamboanga City
PRESERVE,
Iligan City
Misamis
Occidental Movement for Peace & Environment, Ozamis City
Media
TODAY
Cyber
Dyaryo
Text
Tonight
DWBR,
Manila
DXSY,
Ozamis City
DXOC,
Ozamis City
ABC5 (TV)
Net 25
(TV)
Balita
Manila
Bulletin
COMMITMENTS and
CONCERNS
-
The DENR informed
the body that it has already requested Senate to start the ratification
process of the Stockholm Convention. However, Senate revealed that only
the request was received. The Department of Foreign Affairs failed to
officially endorse the Treaty to the Executive Department which is the
right procedure for the ratification to commence. EMB-DENR will start
fast-track activities enumerated in the NIP as all consultations with
stakeholders have been already been done.
Timetable: two months.
-
The Department of
Health is continuing its study for dioxin levels of contamination on
breast milk in identified areas in the country. It is now working on the
control groups in various areas in Luzon, however, it cannot comment on
incineration facilities of hospital wastes in view of the fact that the
order for its use has already been signed by the Secretary and released
to all hospitals. The Department of Science & Technology commented that
dioxin release from hospital waste incinerators in the country is only
about 300 TEQ/pg and is minimal compared to other sources. The Ecowaste
Coalition participants moved for a concerted action against hospital
waste incineration.
-
DOST
proceeds with its tie-up projects with the DOH particularly on dioxin as
its inventory is only partial. Due to limited resources, the study can
only be conducted in Luzon areas.
-
The Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations committed to prioritize hearings for the
ratification of the Treaty as soon as it has been concurred by the
Office of the President and the same has been officially transmitted to
Senate for ratification. It is suggested that the same kind of
roundtable discussion be conducted in the Senate among Senators as she
believes that technical terms need to be clarified and explained.
-
Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority clearly announced that POPs
pesticides have already been banned way back in 1989. However, he
admitted that the presence of Dieldrin, Chlordane and DDT in the market
is due to illegal entry of these pesticides in remote ports. FPA
committed that as long as reports of these pesticides reach their
office, they would be confiscated and business permits shall be canceled
as punishment for the violation for selling of banned pesticides.
-
Realizing that there is a need to urge Philippine Government to act on
the ratification
process to be part of the 50
countries that must have ratified for the treaty to be enforceable, a
Statement of Support has been signed by the participants to be submitted
to the Philippine Senate, copy furnished the Department of Foreign
Affairs and the Office of the President. (Attached copy of Statement)
-
Metro Clark Toxic
Waste Victims Association raised their concern on how the POPs Treaty
would affect areas that have been contaminated by POPs long before the
treaty was forged. It was clarified that military bases contamination is
not specified in the POPs treaty. However, it would depend on the
Conference of Parties if they should include provisions that would
affect former military bases contamination in the future.
-
Participants from
the South (Zamboanga City) likewise queried if there would be
prospective environmental problems particularly Persistent Organic
Pollutants after the War Games that the USA is doing in the South for
over 2 months now. Learning from the lessons of the former US military
bases, they noted that environmental concerns are not even addressed
clearly in the lease agreement between the Zamboanga Eco Zone and the
Armed Forces of the Philippines to allow use of the area for jungle
training and warfare activities. It was suggested that this particular
concern be raised and transmitted immediately to the Department of
Foreign Affairs and the Oversight Committee on VFA.
A C K N O W L E D
G M E N T S
The IPEN
Day of Action was made possible through the initiatives and support of
International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), Greenpeace International
and the People's Task Force for Bases Cleanup- Philippine focal point.
Respectfully submitted by:
O'LOLA ANN Z.
OLIB
Executive Director
People's Task Force for Bases Cleanup
Hosted by: People's Task Force for Bases
Cleanup
in cooperation with
International POPs Elimination Network & Greenpeace International
