Gov’t agencies, groups to submit papers on alleged e-waste shipments

Inquirer file photo

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines — Government agencies and environmental groups agreed to submit position papers as they weigh legal and regulatory options in addressing allegations that hundreds of containers of electronic waste (e-waste) from the United States had entered this freeport.

In a statement on Tuesday, July 8, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said that the agreement was reached during an inter-agency meeting attended by representatives from the BOC, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), and environmental groups, including EcoWaste Coalition and BAN Toxics.

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According to the BOC, the meeting focused on identifying the appropriate courses of action and coordinating the next steps in response to the alleged e-waste shipments.

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“Participating agencies and organizations agreed to submit their respective position papers to facilitate a comprehensive evaluation of available legal, regulatory, and policy options. Discussions also covered measures to strengthen existing mechanisms and prevent similar incidents in the future,” the BOC said.

READ: Gov’t units inspect 9 Subic recyclers amid alleged US e-waste shipments

The bureau added that participating agencies were encouraged to continue carrying out their respective regulatory functions despite pending legal proceedings related to the issue.

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The agencies and environmental groups also agreed to continue inter-agency dialogue until a lawful resolution is reached, while reaffirming their commitment to ensuring that all government actions are consistent with existing environmental laws, regulations and national policies on responsible waste management.

The meeting follows a joint inspection conducted on July 1 by the DENR-EMB, BOC, and SBMA covering nine recycling companies inside the freeport.

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Earlier, the BOC said the Monday meeting would discuss the official findings of the DENR-EMB, if already available, and present them to invited stakeholders. However, the statement released after the meeting made no mention of the findings.

The inspection and Monday’s meeting come after the Task Force Against Illegal e-Waste Imports to the Philippines, a coalition formed to campaign against the alleged entry of foreign e-waste into the country, claimed that at least 234 containers of suspected e-waste and one container of plastic waste from the US had entered the freeport since March. /cb

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