THE ratification of the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) six years ago made the country a potential global dumping ground of toxic waste, environmental justice group BAN Toxics said on Tuesday.
The group fears that the Philippines is being primed to be the world’s toxic-waste dump made possible by Jpepa, a comprehensive trade agreement that is infamously known for its preferential treatment of toxic waste, hazardous chemicals and nuclear waste.
To prevent toxic waste from entering the Philippines and address the toxic provisons of Jpepa, the group underscored the need for the ratification of the Basel Ban Amendment, an amendment to the Basel Convention which prohibits the transboundary movement of hazardous waste from developed countries to poorer countries for disposal or recycling.