Wednesday, November 22, 2006 Country's top medical toxicologist honored
DR. ROMEO Quijano, one of the country's most respected medical toxicologists and health activists, is raking recognition after recognition worldwide, the recent of which was a special recognition from the head of the Inter-governmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFSC).
Certainly an event stealer during the 5th IFCS gathering in the Hungarian capital of Budapest recently, Quijano was given by no less than Dr. Suwit Wibulpolpraset, outgoing president of IFCS, with a special award for Quijano's courage and perpetual conviction for the struggle against chemical hazards, aside from his services to the poor.
Suwit described Quijano as his personal inspiration and mentor, someone whom he likened to former head of the United Nations Nelson Mandela who was jailed for 27 years for his anti-apartheid struggle.
"He is a man who is willing to go to prison for his conviction in protesting human health and the environment from chemical harm," said Suwit in reference to Quijano in a statement posted at the webpage of the Pesticide Action Network (Pan).
What was almost obscured by this moving recognition was the special recognition for exceptional contributions to a special topic or activity related to chemical safety, which was given to Princess Chulaborn Mahidol of Thailand. An Award of Merit was also given to Roy Hickman of Canada and Ulrich Schlottmann of Germany for their contribution to chemical safety.
The IFCS event was attended by chemical safety experts and other groups and individuals from developing countries, bringing along their issues in the international front.
During his lecture on the Applying Precaution in the Context of Chemical Safety, Quijano presented the principles behind the Community Pesticide Action Monitoring (CPAM), a program initiated by the Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific.
"To document and create awareness of the impacts of pesticides on human health and the environment. It is based on participatory action research, providing tools for observation and reporting, and it encourages community organizing, education and empowerment for positive change. Through self-surveillance, surveys, observations and documentation, communities, agricultural workers, farmers and rural women have been able to take action for change," Quijano said. (JMT)
