World Governments Support Breakthrough Agreement on Mercury
Nairobi, Kenya – Defying expectations, world environmental ministers agreed today to begin negotiating a treaty to control global mercury pollution. The agreement was made possible by a dramatic shift in the U.S. position by the Obama administration, which supported the creation of a legally binding agreement. The Bush administration had stubbornly opposed any legally binding measures.
Public interest advocates were “elated” by the agreement, said Michael Bender of the Zero Mercury Working Group. “This agreement is not only a breakthrough for global mercury control, but also shows that the Obama Administration is serious about taking a new approach to environmental issues on the international stage.”
The decision represents the consensus of the more than 140 countries gathered here for the 25th UNEP Governing Council meeting. The treaty will include actions to reduce mercury supply, its use in products and processes, and atmospheric mercury emissions, which will ultimately reduce human exposure to mercury globally.
Rico Euripidou, from Groundwork, Friends of the Earth South Africa, noted that “the global treaty will be critical for African countries to have access to resources to deal with their serious mercury problems and to control mercury flows into the continent.”
“This consensus is a huge relief,” said Elena Lymberidi – Settimo, from the European Environmental Bureau and the Zero Mercury Working Group. “The treaty will ensure that the EU not only carries through on its current mercury commitments, but also goes further to reduce global mercury emissions, supply and demand.”
Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that makes its way up the food chain into humans, and puts developing fetuses and young children at risk.
Richard Gutierrez, of the Philippine NGO, Ban Toxics noted that “we are optimistic that the global community is now well on its way towards establishing a treaty to control mercury pollution and effectively safeguard the fish we eat from this poison.”
Faye Ferrer of Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) said that this is a very welcome move for the health sector. “With a legally-binding treaty, we are assured that hospitals and health care systems around the world will be backed by solid policies to finally phase-out mercury.”
The preparations for negotiations will start later this year, and discussions will begin in earnest in 2010, with a goal to wrap up by 2013.
For further information:-
Contact: Michael Bender, mercurypolicy@aol.com, +802-223-9000
Susan Egan Keane, skeane@nrdc.org, +1 212 810 1167
Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, Project Coordinator, Zero Mercury Campaign, European Environmental Bureau: www.zeromercury.org, www.eeb.org; elena.lymberidi@eeb.org; Tel: +32 2 2891301; Mobile: +32 496 532 818
Vanessa Bulkacz, EEB Press & Publications Officer: press@eeb.org; Tel: +32 (0)2 289 1309
Editor’s notes
Mercury is a global pollutant that travels long distances. Its most toxic form – methylmercury - accumulates in large predatory fish and is taken up in our bodies through eating fish, with the worst impacts on babies in utero and small children. For more information, see Zero Mercury Campaign, www.zeromercury.org and “Stay Healthy, Stop Mercury” http://www.env-health.org/r/145
See also:
•http://www.zeromercury.org/press/081205NGOS-PR-CouncilConclMercury-UNEP-GC25final.pdf
•EEB letter sent to Environment Council [18/11/2008] - http://www.eeb.org/activities/General/Eversion-
Environment-Council-5December2008-181108.pdf
•ZMWG comments to the UNEP draft decision on mercury [27/11/2008]
http://www.zeromercury.org/UNEP_developments/081127_ZMWG_comments_on_UNEP_draft_decision_GC25_Mercury-final.pdf
Endnotes:
European Environmental Bureau, (EEB), www.eeb.org, is a federation of over 140 environmental citizens’ organisations based in all EU Member States as well as in neighbouring countries. These organisations range from local and national, to European and international. The aim of the EEB is to protect and improve the environment of Europe and to enable the citizens of Europe to play their part in achieving that goal.
The Zero Mercury Working Group, www.zeromercury.org, is an international coalition of over 75 public-interest non-governmental organisations worldwide formed in 2005 by the European Environmental Bureau and the Mercury Policy Project/Ban Mercury Working Group. The group’s aim is to reach “Zero emissions, demand and supply of mercury, from all sources we can control, towards eliminating mercury in the environment at EU level and globally.”
International POPs Eliminations Network (IPEN), www.ipen.org, is a global network of health and environmental organizations in more than 80 countries working together for a Toxics-Free Future.
Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), www.noharm.org, is an international coalition of hospitals and health care systems, medical and nursing professionals, community groups, health-affected constituencies, labour unions, environmental and religious organisations. HCWH is dedicated to transforming the health care industry worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the
environment
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH GROUP CAMPAIGNS FOR 2010
February 20, 2009
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH GROUP CAMPAIGNS FOR 2010
Davao City – In a bid to fast-track the implementation of Administrative Order 2008-0021 on the gradual phase-out of all mercury containing-devices in all Philippine hospitals by 2010, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) brings in the issue to Davao City.
According to Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury, “two years is a short time and unless we echo the AO to different parts of the country, other hospitals will still be using mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers until 2010 and beyond.”
The Dangers of Mercury
Mercury is fatal when inhaled and harmful if absorbed through the skin. High doses of vapors released by thermometer breakage may cause lung damage. While at lower doses it is harful to the kidney and the nervous, digestive, respiratory and immune systems.
In children and infants, it may impair neurological development. “Even a fetus inside a pregnant woman’s body that has been exposed to mercury is instantly affected. It may disrupt the baby’s growing brain and nervous system,” said Ferrer in a press briefing.
6th month and counting
Administrative Order 21 signed by the Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III for implementation on September 11, 2008 aims to phase out all mercury-containing devices in two years time.
“February marks the 5th month of the AO. The clock is continuously ticking and there are things that need to be accomplished before we reach the goal of a mercury-free health care in 2010,” said Ferrer “The 6th month is the most stringent month. ”
Mercury Disposal vs Mercury Storage
Earlier in a press briefing in Manila, Dr. Edwin Sanchez, head of the committee in charge of the phase-out of all mercury devices in health care said that ideally there should be a “zero level” of mercury in hospitals explaining that small amounts of mercury will eventually accumulate in the body and it is dangerous to the body.
He added that there is “no cause for alarms for spills” of mercury alternative.
They admitted however that, disposal is still a problem. As a matter of fact, Sanchez said that they prefer to use the word “storage” rather than “disposal”.
“Mercury is an element and cannot be disposed. We use safe storage until such time we can find a technology where mercury can be disposed. That is the same practice in US and Europe,” said Sanchez.
Ferrer lamented that although DoH is doing their part, “Up to now, DENR cannot identify a storage place. DENR and EMB should identify a place since they are mandated by law to do this and we hope they will be doing this soon.”
Php 13.2 million for 2010
On the brighter side, the Senate and House of Representatives approved a Php13.2 allocation for DoH for purchase of mercury-free thermometers in the 66 government hospitals. The budget awaits the signature of the President.
“We hope that the budget speeds-up the implementation of the AO and that the Philippines will meet the 2010 deadline,” said Ferrer.
“2010 will be an exciting year for us. We will have a new President, new leadership and we will be mercury-free”
1 Provisions of the AO states that all hospitals shall immediately discontinue the distribution of mercury thermometers in the hospital admission/discharge kits. Within the 2nd month of its implementation, which falls on November 2008, all health care facilities must designate a Mercury Management Team under their Hospital Waste Management Committee.
2 For the 1st 6 months of the AO, the Mercury Management Team should have: (1) Conducted a mercury audit of their facility; (2) Developed and managed a Mercury Minimization Program for their facility; (3) Drafted and implemented a purchasing policy that requires vendors to sign a mercury-content disclosure agreement; (4) Conducted a facility-wide information campaign and employee education on the consequence of continued mercury use; and (5) Identified and removed unnecessary practices that promote the use and distribution of mercury-containing medical devices.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH GROUP CAMPAIGNS FOR 2010
Davao City – In a bid to fast-track the implementation of Administrative Order 2008-0021 on the gradual phase-out of all mercury containing-devices in all Philippine hospitals by 2010, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) brings in the issue to Davao City.
According to Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury, “two years is a short time and unless we echo the AO to different parts of the country, other hospitals will still be using mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers until 2010 and beyond.”
The Dangers of Mercury
Mercury is fatal when inhaled and harmful if absorbed through the skin. High doses of vapors released by thermometer breakage may cause lung damage. While at lower doses it is harful to the kidney and the nervous, digestive, respiratory and immune systems.
In children and infants, it may impair neurological development. “Even a fetus inside a pregnant woman’s body that has been exposed to mercury is instantly affected. It may disrupt the baby’s growing brain and nervous system,” said Ferrer in a press briefing.
6th month and counting
Administrative Order 21 signed by the Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III for implementation on September 11, 2008 aims to phase out all mercury-containing devices in two years time.
“February marks the 5th month of the AO. The clock is continuously ticking and there are things that need to be accomplished before we reach the goal of a mercury-free health care in 2010,” said Ferrer “The 6th month is the most stringent month. ”
Mercury Disposal vs Mercury Storage
Earlier in a press briefing in Manila, Dr. Edwin Sanchez, head of the committee in charge of the phase-out of all mercury devices in health care said that ideally there should be a “zero level” of mercury in hospitals explaining that small amounts of mercury will eventually accumulate in the body and it is dangerous to the body.
He added that there is “no cause for alarms for spills” of mercury alternative.
They admitted however that, disposal is still a problem. As a matter of fact, Sanchez said that they prefer to use the word “storage” rather than “disposal”.
“Mercury is an element and cannot be disposed. We use safe storage until such time we can find a technology where mercury can be disposed. That is the same practice in US and Europe,” said Sanchez.
Ferrer lamented that although DoH is doing their part, “Up to now, DENR cannot identify a storage place. DENR and EMB should identify a place since they are mandated by law to do this and we hope they will be doing this soon.”
Php 13.2 million for 2010
On the brighter side, the Senate and House of Representatives approved a Php13.2 allocation for DoH for purchase of mercury-free thermometers in the 66 government hospitals. The budget awaits the signature of the President.
“We hope that the budget speeds-up the implementation of the AO and that the Philippines will meet the 2010 deadline,” said Ferrer.
“2010 will be an exciting year for us. We will have a new President, new leadership and we will be mercury-free”
1 Provisions of the AO states that all hospitals shall immediately discontinue the distribution of mercury thermometers in the hospital admission/discharge kits. Within the 2nd month of its implementation, which falls on November 2008, all health care facilities must designate a Mercury Management Team under their Hospital Waste Management Committee.
2 For the 1st 6 months of the AO, the Mercury Management Team should have: (1) Conducted a mercury audit of their facility; (2) Developed and managed a Mercury Minimization Program for their facility; (3) Drafted and implemented a purchasing policy that requires vendors to sign a mercury-content disclosure agreement; (4) Conducted a facility-wide information campaign and employee education on the consequence of continued mercury use; and (5) Identified and removed unnecessary practices that promote the use and distribution of mercury-containing medical devices.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
CHILDREN SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF LOVE FOR A MERCURY-FREE PHILIPPINE HEALTH CARE
February 12, 2009
CHILDREN SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF LOVE FOR A MERCURY-FREE PHILIPPINE HEALTH CARE
Manila – Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA), along with children all dressed in white like little gods and goddesses, simultaneously visited the Department of Health (DoH) and Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III in two separate venues to spread the message of love this Valentine’s Day for a mercury-free Philippines by 2010.
This is inline with Administrative Order 2008-0021 signed by Duque for implementation on September 11, 2008 to phase-out all mercury containing devices in all Philippine health care by 2010.
At the DoH, HCWH-SEA was greeted by Under Secretary David J. Lozada, Jr., Dr. Edwin Sanchez, head of the committee on the phase-out of mercury in health care, and Engr. Elmer Benedictos, member of the committee.
Why children?
Children are among the most vulnerable sector when it comes to mercury exposure .
“Mercury impairs neurological development of infants and children. Even a fetus inside a pregnant woman’s body that has been exposed to mercury is instantly affected. It may disrupt the baby’s growing brain and nervous system,” Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury, said.
6th month and counting
“The signing of the AO is a much-awaited move and its implementation cannot be delayed unless protecting children has become our least priority,” said Ferrer.
She added “February marks the 5th month of the AO. The clock is continuously ticking and there are things that need to be accomplished before we reach the goal of a mercury-free health care in 2010.
“We are on the 5th month and several hospitals are still unaware of the AO. The 6th month is the most stringent month ,” Ferrer said
Two thumbs up!
Ferrer added though that replacement of mercury thermometers is now easier with the approval of the Senate and House of Representatives of a DOH budget for purchase of mercury-free thermometers.
In the bi-cam approved budget, Php13.2 million is allotted for purchase of mercury-free thermometers in the 66 government hospitals. The budget awaits the signature of the President.
Global Campaign
As a global issue, HCWH and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched in December a global partnership to substitute mercury-based medical devices with safer, accurate and affordable alternatives.
In a letter sent to Duque, HCWH and WHO are asking the DoH to become a Founding Member of the global partnership.
“DoH is in the forefront of advocating for mercury-free health care. As a Founding Member, it will highlight the good work in the Philippines as an example for the rest of the world,” Ferrer said.
She added that this partnership will push the DoH to redouble efforts to a mercury-free health care through a strict monitoring of the AO implementation.
Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) is a global coalition of more than 400 organizations in more than 50 countries working to protect health by reducing pollution in health care sector. For more information, visit www.noharm.org. (30)
Contact
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, Program Coordinator for Mercury, +63 920 9327151, faye@hcwh.org
1 According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, impacts on cognitive thinking, memory, attention, language and fine motor and visual spatial skills have been seen in children exposed to low levels of methyl mercury in the womb.
According to the same report, other symptoms of methyl mercury poisoning include impairment of the peripheral vision, disturbances in sensations, lack of coordination of movements, impairments of speech, hearing, walking and muscle weakness.
2 Provisions of the AO states that all hospitals shall immediately discontinue the distribution of mercury thermometers in the hospital admission/discharge kits. Within the 2nd month of its implementation, which falls on November 2008, all health care facilities must designate a Mercury Management Team under their Hospital Waste Management Committee.
3 For the 1st 6 months of the AO, the Mercury Management Team should have: (1) Conducted a mercury audit of their facility; (2) Developed and managed a Mercury Minimization Program for their facility; (3) Drafted and implemented a purchasing policy that requires vendors to sign a mercury-content disclosure agreement; (4) Conducted a facility-wide information campaign and employee education on the consequence of continued mercury use; and (5) Identified and removed unnecessary practices that promote the use and distribution of mercury-containing medical devices.
CHILDREN SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF LOVE FOR A MERCURY-FREE PHILIPPINE HEALTH CARE
Manila – Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA), along with children all dressed in white like little gods and goddesses, simultaneously visited the Department of Health (DoH) and Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III in two separate venues to spread the message of love this Valentine’s Day for a mercury-free Philippines by 2010.
This is inline with Administrative Order 2008-0021 signed by Duque for implementation on September 11, 2008 to phase-out all mercury containing devices in all Philippine health care by 2010.
At the DoH, HCWH-SEA was greeted by Under Secretary David J. Lozada, Jr., Dr. Edwin Sanchez, head of the committee on the phase-out of mercury in health care, and Engr. Elmer Benedictos, member of the committee.
Why children?
Children are among the most vulnerable sector when it comes to mercury exposure .
“Mercury impairs neurological development of infants and children. Even a fetus inside a pregnant woman’s body that has been exposed to mercury is instantly affected. It may disrupt the baby’s growing brain and nervous system,” Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury, said.
6th month and counting
“The signing of the AO is a much-awaited move and its implementation cannot be delayed unless protecting children has become our least priority,” said Ferrer.
She added “February marks the 5th month of the AO. The clock is continuously ticking and there are things that need to be accomplished before we reach the goal of a mercury-free health care in 2010.
“We are on the 5th month and several hospitals are still unaware of the AO. The 6th month is the most stringent month ,” Ferrer said
Two thumbs up!
Ferrer added though that replacement of mercury thermometers is now easier with the approval of the Senate and House of Representatives of a DOH budget for purchase of mercury-free thermometers.
In the bi-cam approved budget, Php13.2 million is allotted for purchase of mercury-free thermometers in the 66 government hospitals. The budget awaits the signature of the President.
Global Campaign
As a global issue, HCWH and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched in December a global partnership to substitute mercury-based medical devices with safer, accurate and affordable alternatives.
In a letter sent to Duque, HCWH and WHO are asking the DoH to become a Founding Member of the global partnership.
“DoH is in the forefront of advocating for mercury-free health care. As a Founding Member, it will highlight the good work in the Philippines as an example for the rest of the world,” Ferrer said.
She added that this partnership will push the DoH to redouble efforts to a mercury-free health care through a strict monitoring of the AO implementation.
Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) is a global coalition of more than 400 organizations in more than 50 countries working to protect health by reducing pollution in health care sector. For more information, visit www.noharm.org. (30)
Contact
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, Program Coordinator for Mercury, +63 920 9327151, faye@hcwh.org
1 According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, impacts on cognitive thinking, memory, attention, language and fine motor and visual spatial skills have been seen in children exposed to low levels of methyl mercury in the womb.
According to the same report, other symptoms of methyl mercury poisoning include impairment of the peripheral vision, disturbances in sensations, lack of coordination of movements, impairments of speech, hearing, walking and muscle weakness.
2 Provisions of the AO states that all hospitals shall immediately discontinue the distribution of mercury thermometers in the hospital admission/discharge kits. Within the 2nd month of its implementation, which falls on November 2008, all health care facilities must designate a Mercury Management Team under their Hospital Waste Management Committee.
3 For the 1st 6 months of the AO, the Mercury Management Team should have: (1) Conducted a mercury audit of their facility; (2) Developed and managed a Mercury Minimization Program for their facility; (3) Drafted and implemented a purchasing policy that requires vendors to sign a mercury-content disclosure agreement; (4) Conducted a facility-wide information campaign and employee education on the consequence of continued mercury use; and (5) Identified and removed unnecessary practices that promote the use and distribution of mercury-containing medical devices.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
43 RP CONGRESSMEN SIGN DEBT CANCELLATION MOVE
February 5, 2009
43 RP CONGRESSMEN SIGN DEBT CANCELLATION MOVE
Manila – Forty three Philippine Congressmen yesterday signed the petition to cancel the 1994 Austrian government loan worth Php503 million used to fund the defunct Austrian Medical Waste Incinerator Project.
At the Philippine House of Representatives, members of Ecowaste Coalition, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Greenpeace-Southeast Asia and Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) serenaded the Parliamentarians with music from Mozart and other original Filipino music.
“The idea is to appeal to the Congressmen’s moral sense. At a time when the world is suffering from economic crisis, the money that will be used to pay dubious loan must go where it is most needed,” said Ronnel Lim, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Anti-Incineration.
The government is paying an average of US$2 million a year until 2014 for the loan. In a special provision in 2008 National Budget, the Congress refused allocation for interest payments of the incinerators and other debts that are “fraudulent, wasteful, and/or useless.” However, the President vetoed the move.
“This petition aims to renew the call of the Congressmen. Last year, they made it clear that we should not be paying this loan. Now, the petition which will be sent to Austrian government in April, aims to raise the campaign to a higher level,” Lim said. “Our parliamentarians have spoken. We will bring the issue directly to Austria.”
Earlier, HCWH-SEA called on the Congress to instead channel the loan payment to environmentally-safe medical waste disposal facilities. “Facilities which are not harmful to the environment and to people’s health.”
Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) is a global coalition of more than 400 organizations in more than 50 countries working to protect health by reducing pollution in health care sector. For more information, visit www.noharm.org. (30)
43 RP CONGRESSMEN SIGN DEBT CANCELLATION MOVE
Manila – Forty three Philippine Congressmen yesterday signed the petition to cancel the 1994 Austrian government loan worth Php503 million used to fund the defunct Austrian Medical Waste Incinerator Project.
At the Philippine House of Representatives, members of Ecowaste Coalition, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Greenpeace-Southeast Asia and Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) serenaded the Parliamentarians with music from Mozart and other original Filipino music.
“The idea is to appeal to the Congressmen’s moral sense. At a time when the world is suffering from economic crisis, the money that will be used to pay dubious loan must go where it is most needed,” said Ronnel Lim, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Anti-Incineration.
The government is paying an average of US$2 million a year until 2014 for the loan. In a special provision in 2008 National Budget, the Congress refused allocation for interest payments of the incinerators and other debts that are “fraudulent, wasteful, and/or useless.” However, the President vetoed the move.
“This petition aims to renew the call of the Congressmen. Last year, they made it clear that we should not be paying this loan. Now, the petition which will be sent to Austrian government in April, aims to raise the campaign to a higher level,” Lim said. “Our parliamentarians have spoken. We will bring the issue directly to Austria.”
Earlier, HCWH-SEA called on the Congress to instead channel the loan payment to environmentally-safe medical waste disposal facilities. “Facilities which are not harmful to the environment and to people’s health.”
Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) is a global coalition of more than 400 organizations in more than 50 countries working to protect health by reducing pollution in health care sector. For more information, visit www.noharm.org. (30)
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
String Quartet plays against "Toxic Debt"
Stop Toxic Debt! Campaign
Ecowaste Coalition, Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Greenpeace-Asia Pacific, Health Care Without Harm (HCWH)
Contact persons: Ronnel Lim, Health Care Without Harm @ 09189850130
Emman Hizon, Freedom from Debt Coalition @ 09189070674
String Quartet plays against "Toxic Debt"
Tuesday, 03 February 2009 13:10
Greens, Debt activists urge solons to push for cancellation of defunct incinerator loan from Austria
MANILA, Philippines--A string quartet today serenaded the members of the House of Representatives, calling on solons to sign a Parliamentarians' Petition urging the Austrian government to cancel the P503-million loan used to fund for the defunct Austrian Medical Waste Incinerator Project.
Playing Mozart music and wearing hazmat suits and gas masks, the group actively solicited the signatures of the legislators in its effort to
continue the signature drive it started last year.
The group also called on Congress to do concrete actions on the said loan agreement, such as the launching of a Congressional audit and
investigation on the loan project, saying that the debt list should be "detoxified."
The Stop Toxic Debt!, a campaign group composed of the Ecowaste Coalition, Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives(GAIA), Greenpeace-Southeast Asia, and Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), said that the government is shelling out an average of $2 million a year to pay for the said Austrian loan.
"It is not enough for our solons to merely make political statements to refuse payment for the Austrian Waste Incinerators, more importantly, they should put their money where their mouths are by calling the Austrian government to cancel the debt themselves," Ecowaste Coalition President Manny Calonzo said.
The groups launched a signature drive last year urging legislators to sign the Parliamentarians' Petition which is scheduled to be delivered by a contingent of Filipino campaigners and Legislators to the government of Austria this April 2009.
Calonzo said the choice of Mozart's music for their string-quartet/creative action is significant as the musical genius was an Austrian
national who was said to have died impoverished and debt-ridden. He added that unless the Austrian incinerator debt is cancelled, it would surely contribute in the further impoverishment and debt burden of the Filipino people.
Meanwhile, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) Executive Director Merci Ferrer said that the fund channeled for the debt service funds is better spent for procuring "environmentally-safe medical waste disposal facilities."
"We should compel governments to take action to end illegitimate debts, especially those which harm the environment and people's health while eating up our resources supposedly for environmental protection and healthcare," Ferrer said.
Housekeeping
The group recalled that the 14th Congress, in a special provision, refused allocation for interest payments of the incinerators in the 2008 budget and of other debts challenged as "fraudulent, wasteful, and/or useless".
The Stop Toxic Debt! Campaign is said to be instrumental in the suspension of interest and principal payments of the said Austrian loan in the 2008 budget. However, the President eventually vetoed the said provision, citing the need to protect the country's credit rating.
For the 2009 budget, the 14th Congress again slashed P50 billion from interest payments proposed by the Department of Budget and Management. Committee on Appropriations Vice Chair Rep. Edcel Lagman, in his sponsorship speech, called on the lower house to suspend not just the interest payments, but also the principal amortization for the said loan.
"As the World Bank begins to uncover irregularities in its loan projects, we have here an illegitimate Austrian loan project sitting on the laps of the government for more than a decade, but without concrete action," FDC Secretary General Milo Tanchuling said.
"Clearly, in a time of a world economic crisis and financial turndown, Congress must avoid unnecessary expenditures by conducting good housekeeping and getting rid of illegitimate debts in their lists of expenses," Tanchuling said.-30-
Ecowaste Coalition, Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Greenpeace-Asia Pacific, Health Care Without Harm (HCWH)
Contact persons: Ronnel Lim, Health Care Without Harm @ 09189850130
Emman Hizon, Freedom from Debt Coalition @ 09189070674
String Quartet plays against "Toxic Debt"
Tuesday, 03 February 2009 13:10
Greens, Debt activists urge solons to push for cancellation of defunct incinerator loan from Austria
MANILA, Philippines--A string quartet today serenaded the members of the House of Representatives, calling on solons to sign a Parliamentarians' Petition urging the Austrian government to cancel the P503-million loan used to fund for the defunct Austrian Medical Waste Incinerator Project.
Playing Mozart music and wearing hazmat suits and gas masks, the group actively solicited the signatures of the legislators in its effort to
continue the signature drive it started last year.
The group also called on Congress to do concrete actions on the said loan agreement, such as the launching of a Congressional audit and
investigation on the loan project, saying that the debt list should be "detoxified."
The Stop Toxic Debt!, a campaign group composed of the Ecowaste Coalition, Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives(GAIA), Greenpeace-Southeast Asia, and Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), said that the government is shelling out an average of $2 million a year to pay for the said Austrian loan.
"It is not enough for our solons to merely make political statements to refuse payment for the Austrian Waste Incinerators, more importantly, they should put their money where their mouths are by calling the Austrian government to cancel the debt themselves," Ecowaste Coalition President Manny Calonzo said.
The groups launched a signature drive last year urging legislators to sign the Parliamentarians' Petition which is scheduled to be delivered by a contingent of Filipino campaigners and Legislators to the government of Austria this April 2009.
Calonzo said the choice of Mozart's music for their string-quartet/creative action is significant as the musical genius was an Austrian
national who was said to have died impoverished and debt-ridden. He added that unless the Austrian incinerator debt is cancelled, it would surely contribute in the further impoverishment and debt burden of the Filipino people.
Meanwhile, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) Executive Director Merci Ferrer said that the fund channeled for the debt service funds is better spent for procuring "environmentally-safe medical waste disposal facilities."
"We should compel governments to take action to end illegitimate debts, especially those which harm the environment and people's health while eating up our resources supposedly for environmental protection and healthcare," Ferrer said.
Housekeeping
The group recalled that the 14th Congress, in a special provision, refused allocation for interest payments of the incinerators in the 2008 budget and of other debts challenged as "fraudulent, wasteful, and/or useless".
The Stop Toxic Debt! Campaign is said to be instrumental in the suspension of interest and principal payments of the said Austrian loan in the 2008 budget. However, the President eventually vetoed the said provision, citing the need to protect the country's credit rating.
For the 2009 budget, the 14th Congress again slashed P50 billion from interest payments proposed by the Department of Budget and Management. Committee on Appropriations Vice Chair Rep. Edcel Lagman, in his sponsorship speech, called on the lower house to suspend not just the interest payments, but also the principal amortization for the said loan.
"As the World Bank begins to uncover irregularities in its loan projects, we have here an illegitimate Austrian loan project sitting on the laps of the government for more than a decade, but without concrete action," FDC Secretary General Milo Tanchuling said.
"Clearly, in a time of a world economic crisis and financial turndown, Congress must avoid unnecessary expenditures by conducting good housekeeping and getting rid of illegitimate debts in their lists of expenses," Tanchuling said.-30-
International envi-health group commends Phil Heart Center’s mercury sphygmo replacement plan
February 4, 2009
International envi-health group commends Phil Heart Center’s mercury sphygmo replacement plan
Manila – Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) commends the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) for its continuous move towards a safer and more environment friendly health care in the Philippines.
On the 34th Anniversary Celebration of the PHC with the theme Unity in Diversity: A Progressive PHC, the different committees working within the walls of the hospital, showcased their activities and plans for the next years.
“HCWH especially applauds the Health Care Waste Management Committee of PHC,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury. “This is the same Committee responsible for the phase-out of all mercury thermometers at Philippine Heart Center—one of the very 1st hospitals in the country to do so.”
Now, on its 34th year, among the main thrust of the Committee is to replace all of its mercury sphygmomanometers with viable alternatives.
According to Ester Borja, Head of the Waste Management Committee, “this shows that the Philippine Heart Center recognizes the urgent need to phase-out all mercury-containing devices in health care and the availability of alternatives in the country.”
“For several years, we have been using mercury alternatives and they are proving to be the best, especially if you take into consideration the danger mercury devices pose to patients, hospital workers, and the environment,” said Borja.
PHC’s phase-out plan is in accordance to DoH’s Administrative Order 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of thermometers, sphygmomanometer and other mercury-containing devices in all Philippine hospitals and health care by 2010.
The AO also mandates all hospitals to immediately discontinue the distribution of mercury thermometers in the patient’s admission/discharge kits. Further, it requires all hospitals to follow the guidelines for the gradual phase-out of mercury in two years.
Among the other plans and programs of the Waste Management Committee are (1) to replace mercury sphygmomanometers; (2) to develop a comprehensive, simple and doable manual of waste management; (3) to produce a video presentation of waste management program to be used in orientation and outreach programs; (4) to expand “Green Purchasing” system; (5) to coordinate with Safety and Risk Management Committee for concerns, issues and activities and sustain developing programs relative to waste management and patients safety; and (6) to improve waste management relative to pest control, guidelines and housekeeping practices.
Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) is a global coalition of more than 400 organizations in more than 50 countries working to protect health by reducing pollution in health care sector. For more information, visit www.noharm.org. (30)
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye V. Ferrer, Program Officer for Mercury, +63 920 9327151, faye@hcwh.org
International envi-health group commends Phil Heart Center’s mercury sphygmo replacement plan
Manila – Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) commends the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) for its continuous move towards a safer and more environment friendly health care in the Philippines.
On the 34th Anniversary Celebration of the PHC with the theme Unity in Diversity: A Progressive PHC, the different committees working within the walls of the hospital, showcased their activities and plans for the next years.
“HCWH especially applauds the Health Care Waste Management Committee of PHC,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury. “This is the same Committee responsible for the phase-out of all mercury thermometers at Philippine Heart Center—one of the very 1st hospitals in the country to do so.”
Now, on its 34th year, among the main thrust of the Committee is to replace all of its mercury sphygmomanometers with viable alternatives.
According to Ester Borja, Head of the Waste Management Committee, “this shows that the Philippine Heart Center recognizes the urgent need to phase-out all mercury-containing devices in health care and the availability of alternatives in the country.”
“For several years, we have been using mercury alternatives and they are proving to be the best, especially if you take into consideration the danger mercury devices pose to patients, hospital workers, and the environment,” said Borja.
PHC’s phase-out plan is in accordance to DoH’s Administrative Order 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of thermometers, sphygmomanometer and other mercury-containing devices in all Philippine hospitals and health care by 2010.
The AO also mandates all hospitals to immediately discontinue the distribution of mercury thermometers in the patient’s admission/discharge kits. Further, it requires all hospitals to follow the guidelines for the gradual phase-out of mercury in two years.
Among the other plans and programs of the Waste Management Committee are (1) to replace mercury sphygmomanometers; (2) to develop a comprehensive, simple and doable manual of waste management; (3) to produce a video presentation of waste management program to be used in orientation and outreach programs; (4) to expand “Green Purchasing” system; (5) to coordinate with Safety and Risk Management Committee for concerns, issues and activities and sustain developing programs relative to waste management and patients safety; and (6) to improve waste management relative to pest control, guidelines and housekeeping practices.
Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) is a global coalition of more than 400 organizations in more than 50 countries working to protect health by reducing pollution in health care sector. For more information, visit www.noharm.org. (30)
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye V. Ferrer, Program Officer for Mercury, +63 920 9327151, faye@hcwh.org
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