EcoWaste hails Yulo-Loyaga’s appointment as DENR chief
THE environment-advocate group EcoWaste Coalition welcomed the nomination of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on climate protection advocate Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga to head the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The group’s national coordinator, Aileen Lucero, said that they trust Loyzaga that she will do what is needed to protect public health and the environment, including the people’s livelihoods, from the adverse impacts of greenhouse gases, plastic chemicals and wastes, and other pollutants.
“Loyzaga’s expertise and experience in advocating for climate action and disaster resilience will surely help the DENR and the Marcos government in pursuing cohesive policies and programs leading to the protection of the forest and marine ecosystems, in particular, and public welfare, in general, against destructive and polluting operations and practices,” Lucero said.
Lucero added that as an organization aspiring for a “zero waste” and toxics-free society, they are willing to collaborate with Loyzaga and her team in promoting the effective implementation of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, through the comprehensive reuse, recycling, and organics treatment programs and the enforcement of prohibited acts under Section 48 of the said law.
Lucero added that they can also help adopt policies and measures to control the volume and toxicity of wastes generated by households, institutions, and industries, including banning single-use plastics and phasing out non-environmentally acceptable products and packaging materials.
The group also can “collaborate” with the new secretary on the government’s long overdue ratification of the Basel Convention Ban Amendment prohibiting hazardous waste exports from developed to developing countries, the imposition of a national ban on waste imports; and the implementation of policies, programs, and projects that will safeguard the Filipino people, especially the most vulnerable groups such as children, women, workers, farmers and informal recyclers, from hazardous chemicals and jobs, and promote a non-toxic circular economy.
“We also urge Secretary Loyzaga to contribute actively and participate in the negotiation for a strong globally binding treaty addressing plastic pollution throughout its lifecycle, including transparency in chemical additives used in plastic production, banning toxic chemical additives in plastic manufacturing, holding chemical and plastic manufacturers financially responsible, and stopping waste-to-energy incineration and other unsustainable waste treatment and disposal methods,” Lucero added.
