An environmental watchdog has put forward a quick
solution, albeit a partial one, to the much debated congestion in the ports of
Manila.
solution, albeit a partial one, to the much debated congestion in the ports of
Manila.
“To partly help in decongesting the ports, the Canadian authorities,
in the spirit of solidarity, should cause the immediate return of the 50
containers of toxic waste to their country, which have been lounging there for
months,” said Aileen Lucero, Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.
in the spirit of solidarity, should cause the immediate return of the 50
containers of toxic waste to their country, which have been lounging there for
months,” said Aileen Lucero, Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.
“It’s not only a matter of freeing up port space.
Returning the toxic shipments to the sender will help bring the controversy to
a close and see the triumph of environmental justice,” she said.
Returning the toxic shipments to the sender will help bring the controversy to
a close and see the triumph of environmental justice,” she said.
“We therefore reiterate our request to Ambassador Neil
Reeder to take back Canada’s perilous garbage now,” she added.
Reeder to take back Canada’s perilous garbage now,” she added.
Last April 2014, environmentalists asked the Canadian
government through its Embassy in Makati City to take back the hazardous
garbage originally declared as plastic scraps for recycling, which started
arriving at the ports in June 2013.
government through its Embassy in Makati City to take back the hazardous
garbage originally declared as plastic scraps for recycling, which started
arriving at the ports in June 2013.
Subsequent inspection by customs officers led to the
discovery of the botched attempt to import mixed garbage by Chronic Plastics
(the consignee) through Chronic Inc. (the shipper.)
discovery of the botched attempt to import mixed garbage by Chronic Plastics
(the consignee) through Chronic Inc. (the shipper.)
Smuggling charges were filed in February 2014 against the
Valenzuela City-based company and its proprietors for violations of the Toxic
Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990,
Valenzuela City-based company and its proprietors for violations of the Toxic
Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990,
the Revised Penal Code and the Tariff and Customs Code.
Importing hazardous trash in the guise of recycling is not
only totally devious and criminal, but a direct affront to our nation’s
dignity, health and sovereignty, the EcoWaste Coalition said.
only totally devious and criminal, but a direct affront to our nation’s
dignity, health and sovereignty, the EcoWaste Coalition said.
Last Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce
and Entrepreneurship conducted its first public hearing in aid of legislation
to address the congestion at the Port of Manila (POM) and Manila International
Container Port (MICP).
and Entrepreneurship conducted its first public hearing in aid of legislation
to address the congestion at the Port of Manila (POM) and Manila International
Container Port (MICP).
As per Resolution 808 filed by Senator Francis
Escudero, “the congestion has
caused local and
international vessels the
inability to dock
and unload their
cargoes at the
POM and MICP, making
major shipping lines
to boycott the
ports of Manila
due to lack
of available berthing spaces.”
Escudero, “the congestion has
caused local and
international vessels the
inability to dock
and unload their
cargoes at the
POM and MICP, making
major shipping lines
to boycott the
ports of Manila
due to lack
of available berthing spaces.”
“Concerned sectors submit that the congestion is due to,
among others, the number of empty containers owned by shipping lines in the
ports occupying fifty percent (50%) of the containers yards,” the senator said.
among others, the number of empty containers owned by shipping lines in the
ports occupying fifty percent (50%) of the containers yards,” the senator said.
Last week, some truckers and customs brokers held protest
actions in front of the Asian Terminals Inc. and various national and local
government agencies to denounce the seeming inaction to solve the congestion in
Manila’s ports.
actions in front of the Asian Terminals Inc. and various national and local
government agencies to denounce the seeming inaction to solve the congestion in
Manila’s ports.
-end-
Reference:
http://www.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congress=16&q=SRN-808