Brgy Alion, Mariveles, Bataan goes for PCBs-free Philippines

Brgy. Alion officials together with NGOs and Philippine National Oil Company-Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC) representatives, hand in hand in "Working together for a PCBs-free Philippines". Photo taken during the Non-Com POPs seminar & forum for the barangay held on 1 August 2009. The seminar ended with everyone adopting the resolutions pertaining to the concerns of the community folks on the Non-Com POPs Project and other related concerns. Brgy. Alion is one of the barangays in the vicinity of PNOC-AFC's Industrial Park, where the Non-Com facility is to be put up.

Philippine NGOs’ Statement of Support for the Non-Combustion POPs Project (Non-Com POPs Project)

Dear Friends,

FOR A TOXICS-FREE PHILIPPINES

We would like to invite everyone to sign and endorse the following
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT for the Non-Combustion POPs Project that seeks to
eliminate the country's stockpiles of the highly toxic polychlorinated
biphenyls or PCBs.

We have presented the statement for endorsement at the EcoWaste
Coalition-organized "Working Together for a PCBs-free Philippines" seminar
held today, 30 June 2009, from 9am to 12nn at Max's Restaurant,
Quezon Memorial Circle, QC. The statement has been adopted and endorsed by the assembly.

Additional signatures / endorsements are still welcome. We'll appreciate it very much if you can sign on today. Kindly send your
reply to reykp.nopcb@gmail.com or to ecowastecoalition@yahoo.com and we'll add your name and/or organization.

Marami pong salamat at mabuhay!

For a PCBs-free Philippines,

The EcoWaste Coalition
______

We, Filipino citizens’ and advocates of public health, chemical safety and environmental justice, express our full support, commitment, unity and action to contribute to the nation’s efforts toward the phase out and eventual elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Philippines through the Non-Combustion POPs Project (or the Non-Com POPs Project).

We support this UN-backed public-private partnership, which includes the civil society, because it will help the Philippines:

1. Fulfill the Constitutionally-guaranteed rights of the Filipino people to health and to a balanced and healthful ecology;

2. Abide by the Chemical Control Order on PCBs issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that directs the phase out of PCBs by 2014;

3. Build its capacity to manage the stockpiles of PCB oils and PCB-contaminated equipment and materials through a robust, closed-loop non-combustion technology in line with the incineration ban under the Clean Air Act and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

4. Carry out its obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) requiring governments “to prohibit the production, import, export and use of all PCBs,” and implement the “Action Plan Addressing PCBs” in the National Implementation Plan for the said treaty.

5. Set a good example for developing countries in the safe and environmentally-sound management of POPs stockpiles that avoids the unintentional release of dioxins and furans, which the newly-formed PCBs Elimination Network (PEN) can learn from and replicate.

As we express our support for the Non-Com POPs Project, we call on the government, particularly the DENR, to pursue the inventory and monitoring of all our stockpiles of PCBs, ensuring that PCBs in electric utility plants, transformer servicing centers, manufacturing sites and old commercial buildings are duly accounted for and safely stored for subsequent decontamination in the non-combustion facility.

We likewise call on the Bureau of Customs to remain vigilant against the probable entry of PCB transformers disguised as “recyclables” or “donations” for rural electrification as other countries get rid of their own stockpiles of PCBs.

Acknowledging the necessity of actively working together to realize a toxics-free future, we shall inform and educate our membership and the general public about PCBs and the Non-Com POPs Project, and participate in relevant efforts that will ensure the safety of our ecosystems and our people, especially our children, women, industrial workers, waste handlers, and informal recyclers, against exposure from PCBs and other harmful chemicals.

Signed and adopted:

1. Aida Martija, AKKAPKA - Pandacan
2. Angelina P. Galang, Ph.D., Green Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Enviornment and Sustainable Economy / Enviornmental Studies Institute, Miriam College
3. Aurea Macalindong, Buklod Kalikasan
4. Beau Baconguis, Greenpeace Southeast Asia
5. Catalina Jocson, Krusada sa Kalikasn
6. Conrado Esemple, Columban Missionaries-Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation
7. Elsie B. Retanan, Brgy. Yakal MRF, Silang, Cavite
8. Elsie Brandes de Veyra, Concerned Citizens Against Pollution
9. Eric Jamon, Ecology Desk of Diocese of Kalookan
10. Esther Pacheco, COCAP-ES (Citizens Organization Concerned with Advocating Philippine Environmental Sustainability)
11. Evangeline T. Palacio, Sining Yapak
12. Eileen Sison, Institute for the Development of Education and Ecological Alternatives, Inc. (IDEAS)
13. Fe C. Manapat, Woman Health, Philippines
14. Florita Dumagan, Hugalna Albur
15. George Dadivas, Sanib Lakas ng mga Aktibong may Taya sa Inang Kalikasan (SALIKA)
16. Helen Mendoza, Philippine Network on Climate Change
17. Ines Fernandez, Arugaan/Save the Babies Coalition
18. Isagani R. Serrano, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM)
19. Jane Continente, Lakay Kalikasan
20. Jennifer Pangilinan, Mascomthea
21. Jessie Ruines, Children's Helper Project / CGC
22. Joel Catapang, Concerned citizen
23. Joey Papa, Bangon Kalikasan
24. Josua Mata, Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
25. Kinaiyahan Foundation
26. Kristopher Peralta, EARTH-UST
27. Leah Primitiva G. Samaco-Paquiz, Ang Nars
28. Manny C. Calonzo, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
29. Marie Marciano, Mother Earth Foundation
30. Martin Francisco, Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, Inc. (SSMESI)
31. Noli Abinales, Buklod Tao, Inc.
32. Ochie Tolentino, Cavite Green Coalition
33. Ofelia Panganiban, Zero Waste Recycling Movement of the Philippines Foundation
34. Richard Gutierrez, BAN Toxics!
35. Riedo Panaligan, EcoWaste Coalition
36. Rodel Gabac, Advocates for Environmental and Social Justice
37. Romeo Hidalgo, November 17 Movement
38. Ronald Aries Pirante, Diocese of Imus, Cavite
39. Ronnel Lim, Health Care Without Harm
40. Sylvia Mesina, Concerned citizen
41. Tanya Conlu, Concerned citizen
42. Tessa Oliva, Miriam P.E.A.C.E.
43. Vicente L. Guarin, Diocese of Kalookan
44. Victoria Segovia, Partnership for Clean Air

PRESS RELEASE: NGOs vow to back project to ecologically eliminate PCBs

NGOs and individual advocates of public health, chemical safety and environmental justice expressed support for a groundbreaking project to safely and ecologically eliminate the country’s stockpiles of the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) minus combustion.

In a statement presented during a forum themed “Working Together for a PCBs-free Philippines” at the conclusion of the June environment month, some fifty individuals representing more than thirty NGOs initially expressed their support for the project, which is called the “Non-Com POPs Project” for it’s non-employment of combustion in the safe destruction of PCBs and other POPs.

During the forum, Environmental Management Bureau’s (EMB) Ms. Angie Brabante, national focal point for the Stockholm Convention on POPs and Engr. Edwin Navaluna, national coordinator for the “Non-Com POPs Project,” gave straightforward discussions about PCBs, their hazards, and the need to immediately deal with them in an ecological manner through the United Nations backed project.

Navaluna announced further that “construction of the non-combustion treatment facility at the Philippine National Oil Company – Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC) industrial park in Mariveles, Bataan should be underway this August.”

Ms. Helen Cervantes of PNOC-AFC increased further the NGOs confidence about the project with her talk about the company’s sincere commitment and efforts in addressing community concerns about the project.

According to the NGOs’ statement, the Philippines would benefit greatly from the project health- and environment-wise as this would help the country:

1. Fulfill the Constitutionally-guaranteed rights of the Filipino people to health and to a balanced and healthful ecology;

2. Abide by the Chemical Control Order on PCBs issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that directs the phase out of PCBs by 2014;

3. Build its capacity to manage the stockpiles of PCB oils and PCB-contaminated equipment and materials through a robust, closed-loop non-combustion technology in line with the incineration ban under the Clean Air Act and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

4. Carry out its obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) requiring governments “to prohibit the production, import, export and use of all PCBs,” and implement the “Action Plan Addressing PCBs” in the National Implementation Plan for the said treaty.

5. Set a good example for developing countries in the safe and environmentally-sound management of POPs stockpiles that avoids the unintentional release of dioxins and furans, which the newly-formed PCBs Elimination Network (PEN) can learn from and replicate.

In concluding their statement of support for the project, the NGOs called on EMB to “pursue the inventory and monitoring of all [of the country’s] stockpiles of PCBs” and ensure that all such chemicals are duly accounted for and safely managed for subsequent treatment at the project facility in Bataan.

The NGOs also appealed to the “Bureau of Customs to remain vigilant against the probable entry of PCB transformers disguised as ‘recyclables’ or ‘donations’ for rural electrification as other countries get rid of their own stockpiles of PCBs.”

Finally, in acknowledgement of the necessity of “working together to realize a toxics-free future,” the NGOs committed to “educate the public about PCBs and the project, and participate in efforts to ensure the safety of our ecosystems and our people, especially our children, women, industrial workers, waste handlers, and informal recyclers, against exposure from PCBs and other harmful chemicals.”

The lively forum also saw the launched of the EcoWaste Coalition’s latest superhero – The PCB Eliminator – to help in raising public awareness about PCBs and the “Non Com POPs Project.”

PHOTO RELEASE: New Superhero out to eliminate PCBs

“The PCB Eliminator”, EcoWaste Coalition’s newest addition to its league of green heroes, with a mission to champion the safe and non-burn elimination of the toxic pollutants polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), is joined by chemical safety and environmental justice advocates in a bid to eliminate the country’s PCBs stockpiles, as shown in this photo taken during the “Working Together for a PCBs-free Philippines” forum on 30 June in Quezon City. (Photos by Gigie Cruz)

PRESS RELEASE: New superhero for chemical safety bared, cheered

A new chemical safety superhero, clad in yellow and black and carrying a shield that bears the slogan “Dump Not! Burn Not!” has joined toxic prevention advocates in a bid to rid the country’s stockpiles of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

At a forum held in Quezon City to conclude the June environment month, the masked hero who calls himself “The PCB Eliminator” vowed to protect the Filipino people from PCBs, a class of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) commonly used as dielectric fluids in electrical transformers, capacitors and coolants.

“The ‘PCB Eliminator’ is the latest addition to our own league of green heroes with a special mission of protecting our people and the ecosystems from harm caused by exposure to these harmful substances,” said Rey Palacio of EcoWaste Coalition.

“The ‘PCB Eliminator’ will enlist public and private support for the non-incineration treatment of PCBs in the country that will ensure public and environmental health and safety,” he added.

The new green crusader joins the other heroes of the waste and pollution watchdog, namely “Boy Bayong,” an advocate against single use plastic bags, and “Super WA” (for “Walang Aksaya”) a champion for Zero Waste.

To the delight of forum participants, Environmental Management Bureau’s (EMB) Engr. Edwin Navaluna, the National Project Coordinator for the Non-Combustion POPs Project, announced that “the construction of the treatment facility employing a robust technology for the safe and non-burn elimination of PCBs and PCB-contaminated equipment, should be underway this August.”

Navaluna, who gave a brief talk about the project before the more than fifty attendees of the forum themed Working Together for a PCBs-free Philippines said that “the project fits very well with the policy objectives of the Chemical Control Order (CCO) for PCBs.”

The CCO for PCBs was issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to reduce and eliminate the use of PCBs, and regulate their transport, treatment and disposal to protect the human health and environment.

In support of the project, the participating NGOs adopted a statement expressing “full support, commitment, unity and action to contribute to the nation’s efforts toward the phase out and total elimination of PCBs by the year 2014 as targeted in the CCO for PCBs.”

“The pioneering Non-Com POPs Project will demonstrate the efficacy of environmentally-sound and safe non-burn approach for managing PCBs, and will surely contribute to both local and global push to eliminate PCBs and advance chemical safety,” Manny Calonzo of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) said.

“Its successful implementation has the potential of setting a precedent among developing countries in the sound management of POPs involving all stakeholders, including public interest groups,” he stated.

PCBs, which are targeted for elimination in the country years ahead of the Stockholm Convention goal, belong to so-called “dirty dozen” POPs that includes pesticides, industrial chemicals and unintentional byproducts of industrial and combustion processes,

With an estimated quantity of five million tons of PCBs oil and contaminated equipment worldwide, PCBs are reportedly among those that are widely distributed globally.

Preliminary inventories undertaken by the EMB yield some 6,879 tons of PCB containing equipment and wastes, comprising about 2,400 tons of PCBs oil. These are mostly found in electrical utilities and cooperatives, industrial establishments and manufacturing plants, servicing facilities, military camps and hospitals.

PRESS RELEASE: RP Urged to Join PCBs Elimination Network

21 May 2009, Quezon City. A waste and pollution watchdog urged the government to seek membership in a new initiative that aims to enhance international cooperation to safely eradicate polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

In a statement issued coinciding with the 8th anniversary today of the signing of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the EcoWaste Coalition lauded the recent decision of the 4th Conference of Parties (COP4) to establish the PCBs Elimination Network (PEN).

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Usec. Demetrio Ignacio and Angelita Brabante represented the Philippines at the historic conference, which also saw nine chemicals being added to the UN POPs blacklist.

“We welcome the increased attention to reduce the serious health and environmental threats from PCBs by ensuring their environmentally sound management, especially in countries that lack financial and technological resources to deal with their toxic stockpiles,” said Rey Palacio, project staff of the EcoWaste Coalition.

“We urge the government and other stakeholders from the public and private sectors to get involved in the PEN and benefit from the unique information exchange, networking and capacity building opportunities,” he said.

“RP’s membership in PEN will hopefully open new avenues for accessing essential resources to support the ongoing multi-stakeholders’ partnership to phase out PCBs in the country using a non-combustion technology,” Palacio added.

The PEN seeks members from governments, intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations, donor agencies, owners of PCBs, related service industries, and scientific and technical experts. The Geneva-based United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will act as its preliminary Secretariat.

PCBs, one of the so-called “dirty dozen” POPs, are reportedly the most distributed toxic chemicals listed in the Stockholm Convention in use globally, with an estimated quantity of five million tonnes of PCB oil and contaminated equipment worldwide.

Based on preliminary inventories, the Philippines has 6,879 tonnes of PCB containing equipment and wastes, comprising about 2,400 tonnes of PCBs oil, mostly found in electrical utilities and cooperatives, industrial establishments and manufacturing plants, servicing facilities, military camps and hospitals.

Signed in 2001, the Stockholm Convention is an international agreement to address global chemical pollution. Ratified by the Senate in 2004, it seeks to protect human health and the environment from POPs.

“The signing of the Stockholm Convention is a triumph for environmental health and underscores the primacy of public welfare over the narrow economic interest of the chemical industry,” commented Von Hernandez, Executive Director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, a member of the EcoWaste Coalition.

“Public vigilance is still required however to ensure that these persistent poisons are really taken out of commerce,” he emphasized.

PRESS RELEASE: RP’s breakthrough project on PCBs garners support

8 May 2009, Quezon City. Marking May 9 to 15 as “Toxic Awareness and Action Week", environmental and chemical safety advocacy groups expressed support for a breakthrough multistakeholders initiative that will rid the country of some highly toxic industrial chemicals.

The Ban Toxics, EcoWaste Coalition, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Health Care Without Harm and Mother Earth Foundation welcomed the United Nations-backed effort to safely address the country’s stockpiles of polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, a group of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), using a
non-combustion approach.

Dubbed as the “Non-Com POPs Project,” this will assist the Philippines in meeting the goals of the Chemical Control Order for PCBs issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) by ensuring the safe handling and environmentally sound storage and destruction of PCBs. The CCO sets a phase out target for PCBs by 2014.

The project will also comply with the requirements of the Stockholm Convention on the destruction of POPs that will not result to the formation and release of dioxins and furans to the air, water and soil.

“The ‘Non-Com POPs Project’ will help our nation in dealing with PCBs in a manner that will not cause any further toxic harm to our people and the ecosystems. We commend the public-private partnership that is working doubly hard to make this happen,” said Rey Palacio of the EcoWaste Coalition.

A general assembly in the host community in Barangay Batangas Dos, Mariveles, Bataan will take place on May 9 to assure the populace of the safety and ecological soundness of the project and to strengthen community ownership and participation in the pioneering project,

The “Non-Com POPs Project” has earlier elicited the support of Sen. Jamby Madrigal, Chair of the Senate Committee on the Environment, who said that “the non-combustion treatment of our stockpiled PCBs is a strategic milestone in our quest to rid our nation of toxic health and environmental contaminants.”

“Let a PCBs-free Philippines be our shared gift to all Filipino children and youth of this generation and next. I commend the project participants from the public and private sectors, particularly the NGOs promoting the chemical safety agenda,” she said in a statement.

The “Non-Com POPs Project” is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as the implementing agency, the DENR – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) as the national executing agency and the Philippine National Oil Company – Alternative Fuels Corporation (PAFC) as the operating entity.

The other project partners include Meralco, National Grid Corp. and the National Power Corp. from the private sector and the concerned non-government organizations from the public sector.

As the preparation for the “Non-Com POPs Project” goes in full swing, the public interest groups called on the government to continue with the effort to complete the national inventory of PCBs and ensure their safe management and ultimate destruction in the soon-to-be launched facility.

PCBs are thin, clear to pale-yellow liquids generally used as dielectric fluids in old electrical transformers and capacitors. They persist in the environment for very long time, enter the food chain and accumulate in human and animal tissues. Considered as possible carcinogen, PCBs, according to three new studies, alter brain development and produce
neurobehavioral problems in children, among other health problems associated with the chemicals.