ECOWASTE Coalition (EWC) affirmed its stand against the burning of effigy staged by protesters during rallies on the streets, citing that it has adverse health and environmental impact and it also violates the Clean Air Act of the country.
EWC national coordinator Aileen Lucero said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at The Annex of SM City Davao on Monday, September 25, that in Manila, they are reminding rallyists to be mindful of the effect of burning of plastics like the effigy and other plastic-made paraphernalia to the public.
"We are reminding them that doing those things (burning effigies) are harmful to the environment and they should not do it especially if it is plastic," Lucero said.
She added that burning of plastic containing toxic chemicals, when inhaled, would trigger health problems and also harm the environment.
"It (burning of plastic) is against the Clean Air Act so it is a violation," Lucero said.
Under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 Section 48, it prohibits open burning of solid waste and penalizes this with fines ranging from P300 to P1,000 or imprisonment of one to 15 days, or both.
During the National Protest Day last September 21, which also coincided with the 45th anniversary of former President Ferdinand Marcos' proclamation of martial law, thousands of cause-oriented groups conducted massive rallies nationwide.
They took the streets as avenue to air their grievances against the government and expressed their outrage on the alleged rampant killings, fascism and pushing for the lifting of Martial Law due to alleged human rights violations.