By Marjorie Gorospe
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA—A group continues to call for the total banning of medical waste incineration as a simple step to fight climate change.
The Philippines imposed an incineration ban in 2004. The group Health Care Without Harm, meanwhile, are pushing for reforms to amend the Clean Air Act.
“Some want to amend the CAA by re-allowing medical waste incineration and there are ‘incinerators-in-disguise' projects that are being allowed by the government,” said the group's executive director Merci Ferrer.
Ferrer reiterated that the Filipinos should know that wastes - specifically medical wastes - do not disappear after burning.
“Burning medical wastes create problems which are hazardous to our health and to the environment,” she said.
Health Care Without Harm has attracted prominent politicians and celebrities to support its cause including Akbayan's Risa Hontiveros, actor Albert Martinez, actress Say Alonzo, celebrity mom Suzi Abrera, indie-pop band Bad Days for May and indie filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik.
The group's ‘Burn Not' campaign aims to raise awareness on the dangers of medical waste incineration.
Hontiveros also raised the need for city and municipal ordinances to raise awareness among households, especially mothers.
