MANILA: Environmental justice group BAN Toxics lauded the Bureau of Customs for intercepting the mercury shipment from China last Dec. 23, 2014 at the Manila International Container Port.
“We support and encourage Customs officials to continue enforcing environmental laws, especially those that pertain to chemicals and wastes, because of their huge impact on public health,” said BAN Toxics Executive Director Richard Gutierrez.
The BOC apprehended seven container vans containing 360 kilos of mercury worth an estimated P1.8 million. At the moment, only one of the seven container vans has been opened, with the rest to be opened and inspected in the coming days.
“The illegal traders of mercury have profited immensely over the years at the expense of our health and environment. The government should prosecute the offenders and halt the entry of mercury and similarly banned chemicals into the Philippines,” Gutierrez said.
Mercury is a heavy metal that is highly toxic. It is a potent neurotoxin that adversely affects humans, especially children and pregnant mothers. Despite this, mercury is still widely used in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the Philippines.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources estimates over 70 tons of mercury is emitted into the environment by the sector annually.
In its 2013 report entitled “Mercury trade in the Philippines: An investigative research on mercury flows in the Philippines,” BAN Toxics revealed that most importation of mercury into the country is done illegally.
The government, in the past year has taken steps to address the use of mercury in the country. In June, President Benigno Aquino III issued Executive Order 79, which prohibits use of mercury in ASGM.
In October 2013, the Philippines signed the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which seeks to install global controls over the use, trade, production, and disposal of mercury.
