MANILA, Philippines — Environmental group Greenpeace Sunday lauded the filing of Senate Bill 3087, authored by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, seeking to establish a Pollutant Release and Transfer Register in the country.
“Pollution is not only a crime against the environment but also against humanity. SB 3087 is a step in the right direction toward human and environmental rights,” Greenpeace Southeast Asia toxics campaigner Beau Baconguis said.
“Hopefully, this bill that Senator Santiago filed is the beginning of government and industry finally fully acknowledging the public’s right to know on what pollutants are discharged into our environment,” Baconguis added.
The Pollutant Release and Transfer Register in the Philippines, which Greenpeace is recommending for the Philippines to adopt, requires industries to report all hazardous chemicals that they use, manufacture, recycle, transfer, and dispose.
Such system allows for tracking of hazardous chemicals for easier and improved monitoring by government agencies in charge of managing industrial pollution. It also allows the public to exercise their right to know about pollution issues, especially for those hosting facilities in their communities.
Greenpeace also points to benefits for local government units, including being better prepared and equipped to handle chemi-cal spills, accidents or contamination following floods or fires.
Medical professionals will be better able to diagnose illnesses due to chemical exposures and treat them properly.
Workers will also be better protected in their workplaces because of the transparency required of companies when such a system is in place.
“In countries that have adopted a PRTR or similar system, pollution has been drastically reduced. We laud Senator Santiago for taking action to finally institutionalize the publics’ right-to-know about hazardous releases. We encourage our other lawmakers to take this forward as soon as possible, since this will definitely benefit all of us,” Baconguis said. –ELLALYN B. DE VERA, Manila Bulletin
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
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Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week
Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
