NEWS: Environmentalists seek proper hauling of disaster debris

[ghosthunter]

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/223270...isaster-debris

[SIZE="4"]Environmentalists seek proper hauling of disaster debris[/SIZE]
By ELLALYN DE VERA
October 5, 2009, 3:15pm

Environmentalists asked the government to create a post-typhoon waste management plan to haul disaster debris, which include household, building, and vegetative debris, that may require a special method of retrieval and management.

EcoWaste Coalition said the usual practice of just hauling the disaster debris and waste altogether to a dumpsite or landfill is ineffective in safeguarding the people and the environment from harmful microorganisms and chemicals.

It urged the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) to co-organize a participatory process with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) that will craft policies and procedures for the ecological management of disaster debris and waste.

Disaster debris include household debris (appliances, furniture, household goods), building debris (wood, concrete, metal, drywall) and vegetative debris (tree limbs, garden, and farm waste).

“Disaster debris and waste that we find in the streets following the devastation brought by Ondoy are potentially hazardous because they are mixed, mud-filled and not easy to segregate,” EcoWaste president Manny Calonzo said.

“Some components of the waste stream require a different mode of retrieval and management to prevent the exposure of residents and waste workers, especially child waste pickers, from toxins that can harm human health and pollute the environment,” he pointed out.

The group cited that disaster debris could contain chemicals and other harmful components, such as asbestos, treated wood, putrescibles, electronics, fuels, lubricants, and refrigerants that may contaminate streams, which requires special handling.

It said electronic waste, such as computer and television sets, washing machines, compact fluorescent lamps and other common electrical devices and appliances contain a range of toxic chemicals such as heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury), persistent organic pollutants (brominated flame retardants, polychlorinated biphenyls) and other chemicals of concern.

“The improper retrieval of copper wires, metal scraps and other recyclables from electronic waste can expose waste workers to a cocktail of toxic chemicals during the manual processing that can damage human health and also pollute the air, soil and the surface and groundwater,”

EcoWaste coordinator Rei Panaligan said.

“For instance, we saw children burning electrical cables along Araneta Avenue (Quezon City) to retrieve precious wires that can be sold for about P200 per kilo and, in the process, exposing themselves and their surroundings to toxic fumes,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City government Monday urged garbage contractors to field in additional trucks to facilitate the collection of road discards and flood debris from the city’s households.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. also sought the assistance of the local fire department and fire volunteer groups in the city’s clean-up drive.

[ghosthunter]

Although the "EcoWaste Coalition" has a point, maybe they should put up a segregation facility to process some of the debris themselves rather than just finger point at the LGUs.

[Rev!t]

I also read a news article with contradicting and unrealistic estimate regarding clean-up due to typhoon.

From www.philstar.com

a) Under "Metro" section,
GMA gives mayors 72 hours to clean up Metro

while

b) "Breaking News" sidebar
Cleanup in Marikina to take 2 months - MMDA .

It seems that pGMA are all "talk". Her order is on the same basket like that of "pulbusin ang ASG", etc.