Gov’t restricts entry of ozone-depleting substances into RP

The government has strengthened its control on the entry of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in line with the country’s compliance to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

Newly appointed Customs Commissioner George Jereos said that the measure is designed to phase out the importation of ODS in the near future to protect public health and the environment.

At the same time, Jereos said he is studying the appropriate sanction to be imposed on Filomeno Import Export International for importing CFC-12 without the required pre-shipment import clearance from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The illegal shipment of ODS, which the firm had imported, contained substances described as aichlorodifuoromethane which are very harmful to the environment, according to the DENR in a communication to the Bureau of Customs.

ODS are chlorofluocarbons, a family of chemicals that contain chlorine, fluorine and carbon used as refrigerants, aerosol propellants, cleaning solvents and in the manufacturer of foam.

The DENR also said that importation of the ozone-depleting substances is either banned or regulated on the basis of pertinent environmental laws and orders issued in compliance with the government’s commitment to the international accord.

The Montreal Protocol sets the policy to regulate, control, restrict or prohibit the import, export, use, manufacture, distribution, processing, storage and sale of ozone-depleting substances to abate or minimize their risks and hazards to the stratospheric zone, public health, and the environment.

The Department of Health attributed the rise of lung ailments, bronchitis and asthma in places where there is a heavy concentration of factories that use ODS to manufacturer their products.

In view of the observation of the DOH, the Bureau of Customs is now strictly implementing the DENR no-import clearance, no-importation policy, according to Jereos, who issued an order to all district ports to seize shipments of ODS without the import permit from the DENR.