MANILA, Philippines — Environment and labor groups appealed to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to review and revise the “outdated” Chemical Control Order (CCO) to implement a total ban on asbestos use.
In a joint statement issued by the Ecological Waste Coalition (EcoWaste), Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Associated Labor Unions (ALU), Building and Wood Workers International (BWI), and Alliance of Progres-sive Labor (APL), the groups stressed the need for an immediate review and revision of CCO for asbestos issued by DENR in January 2000 to prevent lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases among Filipinos.
Asbestos is used for thermal insulation, fire-proofing, roofing, flooring, and other construction materials.
The groups pointed out that the CCO, while banning the use of amosite (brown) and crocidolite (blue) asbestos fibers, allows the use of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials for asbestos roofing felts, cement roofing, cement flat sheet and several other applications.
They also pushed for multi-sector support to House Bills 896 and 479 on asbestos, sponsored by TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza and Akbayan party-list Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, which were recently approved by the House Committee on Ecology.
Both bills seek to prohibit “the importation, manufacture, processing, use or distribution in commerce of asbestos and asbestos-containing products.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) cited asbestos as one of 10 chemicals or groups of chemicals listed as a “major public health concern.”
“We urge our policy makers in Congress and in the Senate to act fast on the pending bills banning asbestos use to proactively safeguard Filipino workers, their families and the general public from debilitating diseases due to exposure to asbestos and asbestos-containing materials,” said Rafael Mapalo, director for Education of TUCP.
“The development and implementation of a national program for the elimination of asbestos related diseases (NPEAD) should be fast-tracked,” added Gerard Seno, na¬tional vice president of ALU.
The NPEAD focuses on minimizing asbestos hazards and improving support mechanisms for exposed workers based on the mandates of the labor, health, environment and other departments.
“Banning asbestos and substituting it with alternative non-hazardous materials can create a safer working and living environment for all and should be acted upon without delay,” APL secretary-general Josua Mata said. –ELLALYN B. DE VERA, Manila bulletin
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
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