Here's a press release on House resolution filed to probe Canada's trash PETITION URL change.org/takeitbackcanada Congresswoman Leah Paquiz filed House Resolution No. 1525 today, directing the Committee on Ecologyto investigate, in aid of legislation, the unlawful importation of fifty (50) container vans filled with mixed wastes from Canada. The move by the representative from the ANG NARS partylist follows Sen. Mirriam Santiago’s move to investigate the trash from Canada, which is the subject of a petition in Change.org with more than 23,500 signers. “We have waited enough for protocol and diplomacy to take its course. As a legislator, I have a responsibility to the Filipino people to look into this matter,” Rep. Paquiz said. She has previously coordinated with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regarding health hazards and environmental concerns as a cause of alarm brought about by the unlawful importation of garbage from Canada. “The illegal traffic from Canada has brought about economic repercussions as well. The Philippine Government have incurred more than P60,000,000.00 (around $1,500,850 Canadian) in losses brought about by the storage and demurrage of the 50 container vans. It had also aggravated our problems in port congestion,” she added further. Her message to the Canadian Embassy? “Respect the BASEL CONVENTION and pick up your garbage. It is the PROPER, CIVIC and DEMOCRATIC thing to do.” Petition starter Anna Marie Kapunan said 106 pro-environment groups support the call, “Canada: Pick up your garbage”. Among these are Ban Toxics, Greenpeace, Ecowaste Coalition, Mother Earth Foundation and Green Convergence, Congresswoman Leah Paquiz is hopeful that a solution to the illegal transboundary movement of wastes into our country will be realized. In an update to petition signers, Kapunan said the Bureau of Customs had initially tried to prevent further loss of revenues by disposing 18 opened container vans in dumpsites across the country. The plan was halted due to the opposition of ANG NARS, Ecowaste, Greenpeace, Mother Earth Foundation, and Ban Toxics. “Despite all these problems cropping up, Canadian Embassy in the Philippines has remained mum on the issue,” Kapunan said. “Refusing to acknowledge its responsibility in the situation as a signatory to Basel Convention.” #