Environmental activists rallied senate to ask the legislators not to ratify the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), a treaty that will "legalized" the dumping of toxic waste in the Philippines.
Members of the Ecological Waste Coalition dramatized in front of the Senate the mismatched but determined struggle of our country in the arena of the looming toxic battle against Japan posed by the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
The environmental activists also highlighted the mounting call of different local and international groups to the Senate to finally reject the lopsided treaty that will make the country a dumping site of toxic waste.
In the action prepared by the ecogroup and youth from the November 17 Movement, the menacing sumo wrestler from Japan, joined by Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo wearing the wartime "makapili" bayong, assaulted Inang Bayan with toxic wastes inside a wrestling arena. Shored up by the Filipino people, Inang Bayan rose up to resist the toxic onslaught.
"With JPEPA, our government is allowing the Philippines to be kicked around, exploited, and made into a waste colony by Japan. It is trying to dupe and mesmerize our people into accepting all these by dangling dubious promises of economic gain. We must fight this hypnosis. We must open our eyes to see the ugly deal for what it is, roundly reject it, and keep our dignity and integrity as a nation," said Marie Marciano, spokesperson of the EcoWaste Coalition.
The environmental group finds the controversial agreement fraudulent due to the absence of open, transparent and meaningful public consultation and participation in the negotiation process.
Last week, 30 groups from 14 countries of Asia voiced concern over toxic waste and dirty technology transfer from Japan to developing countries, in the guise of economic partnership agreements.
These groups, delegates of the Waste Not Asia conference last January 15-18 in Kerala, India, called on the Philippine government to refuse the ratification of JPEPA and stop the waste trade.
A broad multi-sectoral coalition named Magkaisa Junk JPEPA is also pressing the senate to reject the treaty.
"International groups are supporting our collective local efforts at asserting the right of the Filipino people to a clean and safe environment. It is now in the hands of the Senate to unequivocally uphold these rights. It is their business, their sworn duty, to do so," said Marciano.
- EcoWaste Coalition, ecowastecoalition (at) yahoo.com
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