Women senatorial bets cross party lines vs toxic chemicals

Women senatorial candidates crossed party lines to sign a pledge that could lead to a policy reforms that will protect Filipino women from exposure to toxic chemicals. The women senatorial candidates separately signed the pledges between March 15 and 23, according to environmental group EcoWaste Coalition. “I express my intent to include in my legislative agenda and plan the elimination of toxic chemicals that invade and threaten both women and children’s health and, thus, the future of the Filipino nation," the candidates pledged. “In solidarity with all women and mothers, I commit to propose or co-propose essential Senate resolutions and bills that will promote and protect maternal and child health from hazardous substances," they added. Signing the pledge were Gwendolyn Pimentel (NP, March 15); Susan Ople (NP, March 16); Liza Maza (NP, March 22); Pilar Juliana Cayetano (NP, March 23); Miriam Defensor-Santiago; Theresia Baraquel (LP, March 16); Sonia Roco (LP, March 19); Yasmin Busran Lao (LP, March 22); Grace Plazo (Ang Kapatiran, March 16); Jo Aurea Imbong (Ang Kapatiran). Scanned images of the signed pledges were posted on EcoWaste's blog site. “We commend our women 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 president Roy Alvarez, in an entry on the EcoWaste Coalition's blog site. “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. In their pledges, the women senatorial candidates expressed support for chemicals policy reforms as spelled out under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). SAICM is a global policy, strategy and plan of action to change how chemicals are produced and used in order to minimize harmful effects on human health and the environment. Such reforms, according to the “Pledge," should embrace the fundamental principles of chemical safety such as precaution, substitution, "no data, no market," polluter pays, public’s right to know, and environmental justice. 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 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 the environmentally-sound management of ensuing waste. Also, they assured the public that they will support policies, strategies and programs on occupational safety and health and chemical accident prevention and preparedness in the workplace. The women senatorial candidates likewise will seek the enforcement of chemical safety management systems in hazardous establishments, installations and industries in order to avert chemical disasters, injuries and deaths among workers and residents of host communities. - KBK, GMANews.TV