The Pollution Control Association of the Philippines Inc. (PCAPI) National held its first Technical Session last June 4, 2021 via Zoom. This Technical Session is in line with the celebration of the World Environment Day with the theme:

“Managing Our Wastes for a Sustainable Ecosystem”

The virtual event was attended by the PCAPI Board of Trustees and its staff, DENR-EMB Director, EMB Chief of Hazardous Waste Management Section (HWMS), PICHE Members, DENR National Resources Development Corporation (NRDC) Overall Project Coordinator and members (Institutional & Lifetime) of PCAPI National. The current PCAPI Secretary, Engr. Shirlyn C. Reyes, PhD., ASEAN, APEC, ACPE was the host and PCAPI VP for Chapter Development Engr. Fernando Ramos was the Session Moderator during the virtual event.

Engr. Gretchen Fontejon-Enarle delivered her opening message in the event, delighted to welcome the guests and the delegates as this will be the very first Technical Session hosted by the association. Engr. Enarle have made her eye-opening message which states that: “If our waste are not properly managed, it may affect the general population, the flora and the fauna, increase occurrence of insect borne diseases and the entire ecosystem…” Let us be responsible as we use the natural resources and avoid the destruction of the ecosystem.

                        DENR-EMB Director Engr. William P. Cuñado delivered his keynote message. Engr. Cuñado presented the milestones and developments of the Bureau in aspects of RA 8749: Clean Air Act, RA 9275: Clean Water Act, RA 9003: Solid Waste Management, RA 6969: Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act. Engr. Cuñado also presented the new and improved features of the EMB Website which made it more friendly and accessible to the users.

“World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 every year to remind people about importance of nature, but I don’t think we don’t need a World Environment Day just for a day to celebrate it, but it should be celebrated everyday…” as what Engr. Reyes say as she gave way to the first speaker, Engr. Arjay Ronald Hosmillo from PIChE Holistic Sustainability and a TWG member, presented the “Introduction to TWG on Holistic Sustainability”.

One of the topics in the Technical Session was presented by Engr. Geri-Geronimo Sañez, Chief of Hazardous Waste Management Section – Environmental Quality Division, Environmental Management Bureau – Central Office which was on the “Updates on the Revision of DAO 2013-22”. Engr. Sañez discussed the proposed amendments to the current Administrative Order on the classification of hazardous wastes, rules and regulations for hazardous waste transporters, TSD Facilities and more. After the presentation, the delegates were given the chance to raise any questions/clarifications regarding the topic.

Next topic was presented by Mr. Carlo Sampan, Overall Project Coordinator of NRDC on PCB Management, “Proper Disposal of Hazardous Wastes: Co-Ownership in Providing Business Solutions”. The presentation was a Call for Action for the industries that generates hazardous wastes which is inevitably dangerous to the environment and our human health.

The virtual event ended by the closing remarks by the association’s VP-External Affairs Mr. Jeremiah Dwight Sebastian. As he acknowledged the guests, the delegates and association’s Board of Trustees and Advisers. Looking forward to more Technical Sessions in the future.