|
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Del Monte says it was ignorant of pesticide transfer
CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Del Monte Philippines said Friday that its cargo of restricted pesticide endosulfan was transferred by Sulpicio Lines "without its knowledge and consent" from MV Princess of Paradise to the ill-fated Princess of the Stars, which sank at the height of typhoon "Frank" (Fengshen) last week.
Lawyer Antonio Eugenio S. Ungson of the Del Monte Corporate Affairs & Legal Department said they immediately informed the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), which in turned relayed the information to the Philippine Coast Guard, when they learned that their cargo of 10 metric tons of endosulfan was in the sunken ferry.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
The information prompted officials to suspend the retrieval of bodies inside the sunken MV Princess of the Stars Friday due to fears that divers would be exposed to toxic chemicals in the cargo.
"Because this pesticide is dangerous, we have temporarily aborted the retrieval operations at the ship," Vice President Noli de Castro told reporters in Manila.
More than 100 divers, including eight US servicemen, have joined in the search for bodies for nearly a week inside the upturned ferry.
Endosulfan is a highly toxic and regulated pesticide and used mainly for agriculture to control insect pests. It is banned in the European Union, Cambodia, and several other countries, while its use is restricted in other countries, including the Philippines.
The cargo of 10 metric tons of endosulfan was for the pineapple plantations of Del Monte Philippines. Del Monte said it has been using the insecticide for decades without a single untoward health incident in Bukidnon.
Ungson said the pesticide shipment was authorized by the FPA, the government agency that regulates the use of fertilizer and pesticide chemicals in the Philippines.
He said Sulpicio Lines was fully apprised of the nature of the cargo and all documents were furnished to it including the material safety data sheet (MSDS) from the supplier, an Israeli firm.
Ungson said the pesticides were packed and shipped in accordance with strict international shipping standards for cargoes like fertilizers and pesticide chemicals.
"Without the knowledge and consent of DMPI, Sulpicio Lines loaded the Endosulfan cargo in the MV Princess of the Stars instead of the MV Princess of the Paradise, which was supposed to be the appointed vessel for this cargo," Ungson said in an email sent to Sun.Star.
Ungson said when they learned the cargo was loaded into the ill-fated ferry, Del Monte Philippines immediately informed FPA "to ensure that any and all action be taken to avoid and prevent any damage."
De Castro said the FPA on Thursday reported to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) that it received a letter from Del Monte Philippines regarding the pesticide shipment in the capsized ship.
FPA also informed DOTC in another letter that Del Monte advised Sulpicio Lines to declare that the capsized vessel was carrying the chemical.
Reaction
Officials immediately alerted the divers to halt their retrieval operations.
Transportation Undersecretary Maria Elena Bautista said the pesticide was shipped in 400 55-pound (25-kilo) boxes stashed in a steel container.
Bautista, who also heads Task Force MV Princess of the Stars, said the divers would be brought to Manila for medical examination to "make sure that they are healthy and not affected by the presence of the substance in the vessel."
As of last night, divers have not complained of any symptoms from endosulfan exposure.
Senator Pia Cayetano, chair of the Senate committee on environment, urged the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) to determine if it is proper to load regulated chemicals aboard passenger and cargo ships.
She said if she is not satisfied with the BMI findings, she will initiate her own probe in the Senate.
"How can these people not declare these things when they are legally bound to do so?" said Cayetano who was here in Cagayan de Oro Friday.
Cayetano said the discovery that highly toxic chemicals were in the capsized ferry strengthened her resolve to move for the cancellation the franchise of Sulpicio Lines.
"The cancellation of Sulpicio's franchise will send a strong signal that government is serious in enforcing laws," she said. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro)
Related story
Greenpeace slams Del Monte and FPA for toxic Endosulfan on board ferry
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (June 28, 2008 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Retrieval of bodies inside sunken ship suspended