SBMA refutes toxic waste dumping claims by environmental groups

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Thursday denied allegations that the freeport is being used as a dumping ground for toxic electronic waste from the United States, insisting that imported materials are legally brought in for recycling and are subject to strict government monitoring.

“There is no dumping of toxic materials in Subic Bay. That can be easily proven,” said Amethya Dela Llana, SBMA officer in charge senior deputy administrator for the regulatory group and deputy administrator for public health.

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READ: Solon seeks probe into alleged US e-waste shipments to Subic

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Dela Llana was responding to claims made by environmental groups during a press conference in Manila that at least 234 containers of suspected electronic waste and one container of plastic waste from the United States had entered the freeport since March.

The groups also presented aerial footage that they said showed large volumes of e-waste being stored and processed inside factories in the freeport.

According to Dela Llana, the materials shown in the aerial footage were “raw materials for recycling and processing, not for dumping.”

Accredited

“Do you think we would allow the importation of waste just so it could be dumped here? We are not that desperate for income that we would sacrifice the future of the next generation,” Dela Llana told the Inquirer.

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She explained that electronics recycling firms operating in the freeport are accredited by the SBMA Ecology Center and other national regulatory agencies and are subject to requirements that go beyond those imposed under national laws.

According to Dela Llana, the Ecology Center regularly monitors the companies and issues notices of violation or other enforcement actions when warranted. Recycling firms are also required to undergo biannual toxicity tests on residual waste and maintain accreditation.

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Dela Llana urged the groups to present a balanced account of the issue.

She said the recycling industry promotes the circular economy by recovering valuable materials from discarded electronics. She added that the Subic Bay Recycling Association is considering legal action.

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