Trash Talk

TRASH TALK

by Anton Antonio

July 11, 2015

The following are statements from government personalities lifted from the following links: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/121534/ph-gives-in-to-canada-over-garbage-dispute and http://globalnation.inquirer.net/125925/boc-chief-explains-why-trash-from-canada-is-being-buried-in-clark.

Ramon Paje (Department of Environment and Natural Resources):

• “for the sake of our diplomatic relations”
• “It has been resolved. The DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) has strongly recommended it be settled diplomatically,”
• “We still hold that the best thing to be done is that they (Canada) take it back, but what will be the effect? It will affect our diplomatic relations,”
• “recyclable plastics.” “Therefore if there is nothing hazardous, it can be treated here,”
• “mixed scrap plastic and household waste.”
• “The BOC will treat it. We will only help,”
• “The issue is as friendly countries, would you insist on hurting diplomatic relations if there is another way?,”
• They promised they will prevent a repeat. Canada will also look into their policies to avoid a repeat. They will go after their exporter,”
• “Isn’t that a major deterrent? How can we be a dumping ground when we’re vigilant. They were caught. Who else will have the courage to import if they will be caught?,”

Canadian Government/Embassy:

• “private commercial matter”

Alberto Lina (Bureau of Customs):

• “Binabaon na sa Clark at our expense para wala ng issue (They are now being buried in Clark at our expense so there will be no more issues),”
• “Minsan ang nangyayari lang pagbibigay ng permit, nahahaluan. Hindi homogenous,”
• "We need containers. The reason why there’s port congestion is because of issues like this. We have to resolve those issues. If we’re not able to remove it from the pier, we will have congestion again. What do you want? Port congestion or to dump it? That’s why we dumped it,”

To summarize these somehow confusing statements… In June 2013, a shipment of over fifty 40-foot containers of assorted waste (household garbage including adult diapers plus toxic waste) from Canada arrived in Manila.  Canada maintains that this is a purely private business transaction.  Rather than return these garbage to Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources eventually decided to keep the garbage than hurt diplomatic ties with Canada.  The Bureau of Customs subsequently buried the garbage in Clark (Tarlac and/or Pampanga).  With this solution, the Canadian garbage case is now officially “closed”… period!

Ask any Tarlaqueño or Pampango and they will be proud to declare that in their province all that is required to access fresh underground water is bury a 3-inch galvanized iron pipe (20 feet in length) and attach a hand water pump on top.  This simply means that the water table in these provinces (including Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija) is quite shallow.  This condition, although a blessing to the citizens of Central Luzon, may also be a curse since toxic substances (from trash and garbage) can also easily penetrate down to the ground water source. 

How can the health of the people of Central Luzon be sacrificed in the altar of international diplomacy?  There has to be a distinction between diplomacy and destitution.  But even if we are a poor country, we have to embrace national pride as a way to deal with other countries.

It is unthinkable how government agencies, sworn to protect the interest of the Filipino people, can mindlessly decided on sweeping the Canadian garbage case under the rug (so to speak) by burying the garbage in Clark.  They probably think they are from Bicol and Laguna anyway and will not be affected by toxin-infected ground water.  I feel so sad for my fellow Kapampangans.

So, what can you say about this “trash talk”?

Just my little thoughts…

(Please visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders on Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/ and http://twitter.com/EarthCrusader/)

REFERENCES:

Inquirer.net, (2015).  “PH Gives In To Canada Over Garbage Dispute”. Retrieved on July 11, 2015 from http://globalnation.inquirer.net/121534/ph-gives-in-to-canada-over-garbage-dispute

Inquirer.net, (BoC Chief Explains Why Trash From Canada Is Being Buried In Clark”. Retrieved on July 11, 2015 from http://globalnation.inquirer.net/125925/boc-chief-explains-why-trash-from-canada-is-being-buried-in-clark