DAVAO CITY – Representative Emmi De Jesus of the Gabriela Women’s Party said President Benigno Aquino’s environmental record will be punctuated by the dumping of toxic waste from Canada in the country on his last State of the Nation Address (Sona).
De Jesus echoed the anger of environmental groups after the government allowed the dumping of 29 container vans in Capas, Tarlac of mixed waste illegally shipped from Canada even without a court order for disposal or technical assessment.
De Jesus said the transfer of 23 remaining containers in Subic must be stopped “even if the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issues a permit for its local transfer, because the toxic garbage must be reclaimed by Canada and not stay as a threat to the women and children of the Philippines.”
She said communities affected by another health hazard, a coal dust storage owned by Rock Energy in Manila, will join a protest action outside the House of Representatives on the day Aquino delivers his Sona this month.(davaotoday.com)
