This photo posted on the online petition on Change.org shows a container van full of hazardous waste that is being held by the Bureau of Custom in the Port of Manila. PHOTO FROM CHANGE.ORG PETITION
To avoid worsening port congestion, the Bureau of Customs said the issue on the illegal shipment of trash from Canada is now considered case closed.
Customs Chief Alberto Lina said the 55 containers van loaded with waste from Canada are now being buried in Clark.
“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),” Lina told reporters.
READ: PH gives in to Canada over garbage dispute | Canadian trash ends up in President’s backyard
The 55 container vans from Canada were loaded with garbage including household trash and adult diapers. It was left at the Manila port after it was shipped to the country in 2013.
The shipment was declared as ‘scrap plastic materials.’
Lina explained that it was the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which issued the permit.
“Minsan ang nangyayari lang pagbibigay ng permit, nahahaluan. Hindi homogenous,” Lina said.
Lina added that they will come up with measures to prevent a repeat of the incident.
Lina added that they have to get rid of the trash to avoid port congestion.
“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,” Lina said. IDL