10 women senatorial bets sign pledge vs toxic exposure

MANILA, Philippines - Ten women senatorial bets belonging to different political parties came together yesterday to sign a historic pledge that could lead to a bill that will safeguard Filipino women from toxic exposure.

Environment group EcoWaste Coalition commended the senatorial bets “for their unequivocal commitment to promote legislative measures that will defend the health and safety of our women against chemical contaminants that disrupt bodily functions, causing cancer and other health maladies.”

“We thank them for supporting our call for a toxic-free Philippines,” said EcoWaste Coalition president Roy Alvarez.

EcoWaste is highlighting chemical safety as a critical element of the people’s agenda for health, empowerment and change in the coming May polls.

“Their pledge to uphold maternal and child health, promote occupational safety and health, and prevent chemical accidents and disasters is something that all candidates, regardless of political affiliation, should emulate to show serious concern for the welfare of the Filipino women and the whole nation,” added EcoWaste secretary Dr. Leah Primitiva Samaco-Paquiz.

Among those who signed the “Pledge to Act on Toxic Chemicals to Protect Filipino Women and Children” were re-electionist senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Pia Cayetano; Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel; Aksyon Demokratiko leader Sonia Roco; Ang Kapatiran hopefuls and lawyers Jo Aurea Imbong and Grace Riñoza-Plazo; Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza; peace and gender justice campaigner Yasmin Busran-Lao; migrant labor rights defender Susan Ople; and child and family rights advocate lawyer Gwendolyn Pimentel.

The EcoWaste Coalition has posted the signed pledges on the group’s website www.ecowastecoalition.org for the public to see, concluding a series of activities on women and toxics during Women’s Month.

The pledge listed several chemicals requiring priority action including persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, highly hazardous pesticides and other chemical poisons lurking in foodstuff, toys and other children’s articles, and popular consumer and household products.

The EcoWaste Coalition said that if the signatories make it to the next Senate, the women senatorial bets vowed to introduce new laws or strengthen existing ones that will regulate, restrict, phase out or ban the importation, manufacture, marketing, sale and consumption of products containing toxic chemicals and ensure environmentally-sound management of ensuing waste.