Quezon City. The EcoWaste Coalition lauded the appointment of an experienced advocate and practitioner of sustainable development to an inter-agency body that is tasked by law to protect the public health and the environment from trash and pollution.
Eileen Belamide-Sison, 63, took her oath of office yesterday, 26 February, before Environment Secretary Horacio Ramos, as non-government organization (NGO) representative to the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC).
The NSWMC, which is under the Office of the President, is assigned to watch over the enforcement of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, particularly in overseeing the implementation of ecological waste plans and prescribing policies to
fulfill the goals of the law.
“Her appointment is a triumph for the out-of-the-box, people-centered Zero Waste approach to addressing our society’s garbage woes. As the lone voice of non-profit NGOs in the Commission, we intend to provide Eileen with the necessary support and invite other groups as well to assist her for a more effective representation of the public interest,” said Rei Panaligan, Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition.
“When you give the lone dissenting vote on critical environmental issues, which will likely happen more often than not, please be assured that we will back you up,” added Sonia Mendoza, Chairperson of the Mother Earth Foundation and former NGO representative to the Commission. “I wish you success in your present assignment, which is just a continuation of your advocacy.”
“Her experiences and insights on waste issues would be a clear value added to the work of the Commission, whose leadership and direction we hope should advance our goals to achieve a Zero Waste and toxic-free future,” stated Von Hernandez, Executive Director, Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
Sison is executive director of the Institute for the Development of Educational and Ecological Alternatives, Inc. (IDEAS), a non-profit organization involved in community research, education and trainings on sustainable development. She was President of the EcoWaste Coalition from 2005-07, and a member of the Council of Leaders of the Cavite Green Coalition and the Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines.
She has extensive experience in people-oriented environmental and developmental work, spanning some 40 years, that has brought her to various parts of the country as researcher, educator and trainer on sustainable agriculture, ecological sanitation and solid waste management.
The NSWMC is composed of 14 members from the government sector and three members from the private sector, including a representative from NGOs promoting recycling and the protection of air and water quality.
As per R.A. 9003, the private sector representatives of the Commission shall be appointed on the basis of their integrity, high degree of professionalism and having distinguished themselves in environmental and resource management.
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EcoWaste Coalition
Unit 329, Eagle Court Condominium, Matalino St.
Quezon City, Philippines
+63 2 441-1846
ecowastecoalition@yahoo.com
whats the rational of thise NGO.