Yennessey Marie Prado 9-Molave

19,000 Sea Turtle Eggs Seized in Anti-Smuggling

Operation

Police seized 19,000 sea turtle eggs off the coast of Malaysia in the early hours of
July 16 in a special operation to hobble a major smuggling syndicate, the Straits
Times of Singapore reports Malaysian Marine Police in the state of Sabah got a tipoff that smugglers were in the area, so they sent three police vessels to intercept
them. When the police vessels came into view of the suspected smugglers four
wooden boats, a chase ensued.
The team spotted the pump boats around 1:30 a.m., and a chase ensued, Sabah
Marine Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Madun told Malaysias New
Straits Times. After a brief pursuit at sea, our men managed to intercept the
boats.
On board they found sacks containing thousands of eggs, worth about $7,400,
according to the Straits Times. They detained four Filipinos on suspicion of
smuggling and another eight suspected illegal immigrants.
The four Filipinos, if convicted, face up to five years in prison or a $12,300 fine,
according to the New Straits Times. For comparison, the average annual income in
the Philippines, where the suspected smugglers are from, is $2,700
In Malaysia, where sea turtle eggs are considered a delicacy, each state makes its
own laws about turtle egg collection and consumption. In Sabah, all sea turtles and
their eggs are protected, but in many states, the legislation falls short, according to
WWF-Malaysia. The organization is calling for a national ban on sea turtle egg sales
and consumption.

Source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/07/wildlife-sea-turtle-eggsmuggling-malaysia/

Turtles are important and they must be protected.

Metro Manila air pollution exceeds tolerable level

A recent study conducted by the Department of Health in co-operation with the World
Health Organization’s Western Pacific Regional Office show that the air people
breathe in Metro Manila contains pollutants in excess of tolerable levels. The worst
victims are the children.
Metro Manila authorities will have to employ drastic measures to solve this problem. The
way we see it two basic steps will have to be taken: First, is to take preventive measures
so that the pollution stops getting worse. Second is to clear the pollution that is already
there. It is common knowledge that a strong typhoon helps blow the pollution away. But
a strong typhoon is a problem in itself.
The Metro Manila pollution is caused by two things. First and foremost is the exhaust
from motor vehicles. Second, the exhaust from factories and even first class hotels in
Metro Manila. We still use leaded gasoline which has been banned in advanced countries
and, sad to say, it is a very common sight to see cars and trucks that are obviously
violating the anti-pollution laws but seldom do you see their drivers apprehended by the
police. There are also factories that spew out not only thick black smoke but that dump
chemicals into our creeks and rivers, but that, too, continues unabated. Every morning,
we take a walk and it is obvious that many of the hotels burn their garbage on their top
floors. Manila Mayor Lito Atienza has taken steps to transfer the Pandacan oil depot out
of his city. This is because they pose a danger to the entire area in the event that a fire
breaks out. That is very true. But the greater danger is environmental pollution. Steps
should be taken to slowly move all factories that pollute out of Metro Manila.
We should also look into the feasibility of utilizing other forms of energy such as solar
and wind power. These country is ideal for both because we have a lot of sunlight and
wind power. Another source that can be tapped is the constant tide in our seas.
Ten years ago, there was an Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to discuss the ailing world
environment. Now the same nations are convened in Johannesburg to discuss the very
same problem. As we see, the problem has worsened since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio
de Janeiro. Will it improve after the present Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable
Development?
Metro Manila is one of the most polluted metropolitan cities in the whole world. We may
learn some measures that we can undertake from the more advanced countries as to just
how to remove the pollution that is already there. But it is obvious that the only perennial

answer to the whole problem is to prevent the pollution from even starting. This will take
time, but we have to start now.
Opinion ( Article MRec ) http://www.philstar.com/opinion/175428/metro-manila-air-pollution-exceedstolerable-level

There are solutions to stop Air Pollution.

Davao waste handler notes hazardous trash still

improperly disposed
DAVAO CITY -- It has been 23 years since the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and
Nuclear Waste Control Act (Republic Act No. 6969) was passed, but most medical
facilities in this city have yet to comply with the laws provisions on proper
treatment and disposal of infectious waste.
There are 304 registered healthcare facilities that produce infectious wastes here,
but only 20 have availed of our services, said Aileen G. Ansaldo, marketing
manager of RAD Green Solutions Corp., a company that deals with disposal of
hazardous and infectious wastes using pyroclave technology.
RAD Green is the only registered medical waste transporter and treater here as per
the Environmental Management Bureaus (EMB) requirements. Of the major medical
centers in the city, only the Davao Medical School Foundation Hospital and San
Pedro Hospital have availed of RAD Greens packaged service, which includes free
collection, treatment and disposal of infectious waste.
And with up to 40 tons of infectious waste generated by Davao City every month,
RAD Green disposes of only 5.5 tons.
So, where does rest of infectious waste go? Ms. Ansaldo said the other facilities bury
their waste in the ground or throw it out with the other solid waste to be collected
by the citys garbage collectors.
However, under RA 6969, hazardous waste generators, treaters, and transporters
are required to be registered, and the citys garbage trucks are not, according to
Councilor Leonardo Avila III.
At least one facility, the state-run Southern Philippines Medical Center, uses an
autoclave, which uses steam to sterilize its loads. This has an estimated cost of P40P45 per kilogram of waste, more than the P25/kg cost to use the pyroclave.
Roderick Dayot, RAD Green vice-president for research and development, explained
that a pyroclave is a fully-automated and remote-controlled machine that uses
pyrolysis, or extreme thermal treatment to process medical waste.
Waste is treated, shredded, encapsulated into charcoal, sealed in a box and then
buried 20 feet deep at the landfill in Carmen, Tugbok district.
The pyroclave operates using a temperature of over 1,000 degrees Celsius and
reduces the mass and volume of waste by up to 95%. It is even capable of treating
and disposing of body parts.

But, unlike traditional incinerators that produce carcinogenic compounds, the

pyroclave, according to RAD Green officials, is safe for humans and the
environment.
Also, since it is remotely operated, the machine automatically sends a signal to
headquarters when it encounters a problem. It also automatically stops if it fails to
operate within its limits.
Mr. Dayot noted that the Carmen landfill has a Level 4 classification, which means it
can accept treated infectious waste.
The non-compliance of medical facilities in the city with the law on infectious waste
disposal has prompted the EMB to require all hospitals to register as hazardous
waste generators.
Also, a waste manifest form, which the EMB gives to the hospital and is later given
by the hospital to the transporter, should be recorded and notarized every time
infectious waste is collected and transported.
We comply with this and then issue a certificate of treatment to the hospital
concerned and the Department of Health after we complete the process, Mr. Dayot
said.
Because of the amount of infectious waste generated by San Pedro Hospital
(estimated at 200 kg/day), RAD Green Solutions has installed on-site pyroclave
machines at the hospital.
This also lessens the danger of transporting infectious waste from the hospital to
the Carmen landfill, Mr. Dayot said.
The company has seven pyroclave facilities around the country, with four in Davao
and one each in Bulacan, Pampanga and Cagayan de Oro.
Each machine can process 1.2-1.5 tons of waste per day. The pyroclave within the
Carmen landfill requires only a 7-by-15-square-meter area and a shelter to protect it
from the elements, as it is a touch-screen, fully-automated machine.
Mr. Dayot said RAD Green has been in business for almost a year now, and despite
the seeming hesitancy of hospitals to avail of the companys services, business is
still good, although it can be better if all medical facilities will comply with the law.
RAD Green Solutions started in March 2012 with P10 million capital. Capitalization
for each facility depends on the capacity of the firms partner. It has invested P1.2
million for its pyroclave facility in Cagayan de Oro, P1 million in Bulacan, and
P700,000 here.
Considering the technologys affordability, environment-friendliness, and
compliance with the law, Mr. Dayot said RAD Green is confident that more facilities
around the country will realize its cost-effectiveness.
The firm is currently negotiating with Limso Hospital and Davao Doctors Hospital,
both based in this citys downtown, and is just waiting for the contracts to be
signed. The company has also received inquiries from hospitals in Marinduque and
Cebu. -- C.A. Carillo

Source: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=Davaowaste-handler-notes-hazardous-trash-still-improperly-disposed&id=80101
Through technology, there is another solution to Improper Waste Disposal, the RAD
Green

Questions:
1. What are the environmental articles about?
The first one is about the turtle eggs, the second one is about air pollution in
Manila, and the last article is about a machine that can solve our problem in
disposing our waste.

2. Do the stories portray any lessons about conservation or protection of the

environment?
Yes.