Rosales calls for better government programs on waste management

Manila Archbishop Cardinal-elect Gaudencio Rosales urged the government yesterday to come up with better programs and actions on waste management and labor disputes.

Acting on the concerns raised by members of the clergy and laity of Archdiocese of Manila over what they saw as "emerging problems" on the two issues during a meeting, Rosales said he has personally asked Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes to formulate a more effective and concerted action on recycling and waste management.

On the issue of labor disputes, Rosales said he has already signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Labor Secretary Sto. Tomas for the "promotion of Christian dialogue through conciliation-mediation for industrial peace."

Fr. Erik Adoviso, executive director of Archdiocese of Manila Labor Center (AMLC), said the MOA signing held at the Rosales residence and office in Intramuros, Manila last March 7 was a milestone in engaging in partnership to resolve labor disputes and creating industrial harmony in the country.

In his letter to Reyes, the new cardinal said there is a need to strictly implement essential provisions of Republic Act 2003, or the Recycling Law, stressing that most manufacturers still do not take back recyclable materials that end up lying in dumpsites and clogging esteros or floating on rivers.

"This makes futile the efforts of the Archdiocese of Manila to promote recycling by engaging people to scavenge for recyclable materials," lamented Rosales.

To answer this problem, Rosales suggested that the government empower its National Ecology Center, which is tasked to assist local government units in establishing and implementing deposit or reclamation programs in coordination with manufacturers.

Rosales likewise asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Solid Waste Management Commission, manufacturers and producers to "exercise social responsibility and be concerned for the health of people and the environment by designing and implementing a buy-back mechanism for the recyclable materials."

The prelate appealed to manufacturers to produce only what they can take back and should not put the burden of managing their products’ wastes on the consumers or the environment.

Rosales, who is set to fly to Vatican at the end of this week to receive his red cap from Pope Benedict XVI for his official appointment as cardinal, also urged the DENR to close all dumpsites as provided by Section 37 of RA 2003.

On the Manila Archdiocese’s action on labor disputes, Adoviso said the AMLC has been working with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) "to conciliate and mediate labor issues in the parishes, schools and other Catholic institutions in the Archdiocese of Manila." — Edu Punay