Oct 142013
 
The EcoWaste Coalition urged candidates in the upcoming barangay elections to commit to a “zero-waste” election campaign, and asked the public not to vote for candidates who leave garbage in their wake.

In a press release, the group expressed concerns that candidates in the upcoming barangay elections might use unsafe campaign materials and neglect the clean-up after the election period.

The group’s national coordinator Aileen Lucero said that the candidates should try for a complete implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 or R.A. 9003.

R.A. 9003 states that barangays should strictly uphold the laws regarding solid waste management, including proper disposal of campaign materials after the election period.

Lucero, on behalf of the coalition, also expressed concern about the number of tarpaulins put up before the actual campaign period.

“You can spot these tarpaulins everywhere – in pedicabs and tricycles, in sari-sari stores, in public markets and in residences. We fear a repeat of the avalanche of tarpaulin waste that happened during the last national elections,” she said.

Tarps in the May 13 national and local elections, she warned, contained lead, cadmium, and heavily toxic polyvinyl chloride (PVC plastic).

The campaign period will start on Oct. 18 and end on Oct. 26, two days before election day. Rie Takumi/BM, GMA News

Jul 202013
 
As Congress opens, group pushes tougher flag law

With Congress set to open in July 22, an environmental group pushing for amendments to the Flag Law that would outlaw the use of paint with lead and other toxic chemicals in making flags and other national symbols. The EcoWaste Coalition called for such amendments after finding several flag-based souvenir items sold in Quiapo (Manila) and Cubao (Quezon City) contained lead, arsenic, cadmium, antimony and chromium last June. “(W)e find it apt that R.A. 8491, or the ‘Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines,’ be amended to prohibit the use of leaded paint and other hazardous materials in the making of our flag and other national symbols and in products featuring such symbols.  These revered symbols of our nationhood should be toxin-free, posing no risks to human health and the environment,” said group coordinator Aileen Lucero. She chided the government for being slow in phasing out the use of leaded decorative paint, which she said is highly regulated in many countries. RA 8491 promotes “reverence and respect” for “the flag, the anthem, and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity.” Independence day findings The group’s call stemmed from an incident last June where it noted some souvenir items bearing images of the Philippine flag and Coat of Arms in time for Independence Day – such as metallic keyholders and pins – were found to contain toxic substances. “The lead levels found on the paints used for the Read More …