Boac, Marinduque - In a continuous bid to make the Philippines 100% mercury-free, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) today turns-over non mercurial thermometers to the Province of Marinduque, the province that seats at the heart of the country.
“This is a very symbolic event,” said Merci Ferrer, HCWH-SEA’s Executive Director. “If we make the heart of the country mercury-free, how can we not make the whole country 100% mercury-free?”
The non-mercurial thermometers from OMRON Healthcare, a partner of HCWH-SEA in the mercury campaign, are turned over to the Office of Marinduque Governor Carmencita Reyes for distribution to the 6 municipalities and the Provincial Health Office.
“We support the initiative of the province to encourage their hospitals to shun away from mercury and to serve as a model to other local government units,” said Ferrer.
In July, the Regional Development Council (RDC) of MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) region passed two resolutions pertaining to the mercury issue. RDC MIMAROPA is chaired by Gov. Reyes.
Formed in the early 1970s, the RDC which is under the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) serves as the regional machinery to coordinate national and local government activities particularly in formulating and implementing development plans and programs for the region.
RDC Resolution No. 036-208-2011 bans the entry of mercury in all Philippine markets with reference to the Department of Health (DoH) Administrative Order 2008-0021 on the phase-out of all mercury-containing devices in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions by 2010.
RDC Resolution No. 036-209-2011 requests the DENR-EMB to formulate procedures and guidelines pertaining to storage/disposal of mercury in support.
“We commend Marinduque and the whole of MIMAROPA region,” said Ferrer. Both Resolutions will be furnished to all RDCs to enjoin them to concur with its objectives and likewise come-up with a similar resolution.
“Further, the resolution on mercury storage addresses the issue beyond mercury in health care,” said Ferrer. The Resolution on mercury storage will deal with both health care facilities and mining companies’ safe storage of mercury and mercury-containing devices.
“We likewise commend Dir. Gloria J. Balboa, Regional Director of DoH-Center for Health Development-IV-B, for bringing the mercury issue to the attention of the RDC and for actively working for mercury-free health care,” said Ferrer. “We are positive that this will serve as an impetus for the other RDCs to play a big role in the mercury phase-out in health care and beyond,” Ferrer added. “This is a good way for us to end the year and we are hopeful with Marinduque and MIMAROPA’s precedent, all the regions in the country will be geared up for mercury-free Philippines.”
The RDC also serves as a forum to raise and discuss regional development issues and concerns. Likewise, it serves as a venue where national development is translated into specific regions and local objectives. It provides the mechanism to raise local and regional issues to the attention of the national government.
Photo caption: To a mercury-free Marinduque. Representatives of rural health units from the different municipalities of Marinduque receive non-mercurial thermometer from Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia and OMRON Healthcare. (center: Merci Ferrer, Executive Director of HCWH-SEA, right: Marinduque Gov. Carmencita Reyes)
Media Contacts:
Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 9189182369
Merci Ferrer, +63 9209056113
HCWH is an international coalition with over 483 member organizations in 53 countries, working to transform the health care sector world-wide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically-sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, visitwww.noharm.org/seasia
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