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By Efren L. Danao, Senior Reporter
Sen. Pia Cayetano, chairman of the Senate
Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said Sunday that the
Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA) should explain why it had
lifted the ban on endosulfan, a highly toxic chemical.
“Endosulfan belongs to the ‘dirty dozen,’
a list of highly toxic pesticides that were banned in many
countries, including the Philippines,” she said. “Its hazardous
effects on human and the environment have been thoroughly documented
and established by experts.”
The sunken MV Princess of the Seas was carrying
10 metric tons of endosulfan imported by Del Monte Philippines, to
be used in its pineapple plantation in Bukidnon. Some sectors have
said the loading of the toxic cargo in a passenger ship without
declaring it violated maritime safety regulations.
But Cayetano maintained that more than maritime
safety is involved.
“It also involved the government policy on the
entry, handling and use of toxic chemicals in the country. The fact
that we allow the use of this toxic chemical while it is banned in
other countries is already a controversy,” she added.
The senator urged Sulpicio Lines, the owner of
the sunken ship, and Del Monte Philippines to disclose to the public
all their records pertaining to the transport and handling of
endosulfan in the last two years.
“What made the FPA lift the ban on this
substance? Were there any findings by the agency that it was not
dangerous anymore and that we can therefore use it now?” she
asked.
She said the Senate would definitely conduct an
inquiry on Philippine compliance with International Quality
Assurance Management Standard ISO 9002 and the International
Maritime Organization’s ISM Code of Safe Operation of Ships and
Pollution Prevention.
At the same time, Cayetano urged Sulpicio Lines
and Del Monte Philippines to shoulder the cost of government efforts
to retrieve the 10 metric tons of endosulfan from the Princess of
the Stars.
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