Containers of mixed waste materials shipped from South Korea to the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – The initial 51 containers of mixed waste materials were already shipped back to Pyeongtaek City in South Korea on Sunday (January 13) after it was deferred from its original schedule on January 9.

Members of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) facilitated the return of the shipments which arrived in the country in October 2018 via Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

According to Mindanao International Container Terminal (MICT) port collector John Simon, the containers are expected to arrive South Korea between January 19 and 20.

Meanwhile, the BOC targets to finish at the soonest possible time the return of the remaining trash shipment which were dumped at Barangay Sta. Cruz in the town of Tagoloan.

“Ibinigay na natin ang re-exportation documents. They are now obligated to send it back to South Korea,” Simon said.

“Ito ang pinakamabilis na proseso sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas after 15 days. The last time that we talked with the Korean government, it was the 28th of December. So 15 days after, wala na. Tanggal na dito,” he further noted.

However, the Ecowaste Coaltion argued that the issue must not end with the return of the trash shipment to South Korea.

The group stressed that the investigation should push through to find out how the said garbage shipments entered the country so that authorities can eventually pin those responsible for the it.

According to Aileen Lucero, the group’s national coordinator, it is also high time to revise the law and totally ban the importation of waste materials.

“Ang isang magandang magiging epekto nyan, kung meron tayong ban ng import ng waste yung sa atin na basura yun na ang ire-recycle at sabi nga tataas ang employment,” Lucero said.

The UNTV News and Rescue team, meanwhile, sought the side of the shipment’s consignee Verde Soko.

However, the staff present on site refused to grant media interview. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Raymond Octubre)

Reports come from 

UNTV News and Rescue