Philippines NGO Statement in Support of the Early Ratification and Effective Implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury

WE, concerned organizations from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, express our support for the early ratification and effective implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.  As advocates for our people’s constitutional rights to health and to a healthful environment, we urge the executive and legislative branches of the government to speed up the ratification process of the Convention,

as well as to hasten its implementation through policies, programs and measures that will determinedly prevent, reduce and control mercury emissions and releases into the air, land and water to protect the public health and the environment.  We specifically appeal to our senators to make the ratification of the Convention a collective priority for the remaining sessions of the 16th Congress this year.  For the common good and for a toxics-free future, we reiterate that current and impending interventions to minimize, if not eliminate, mercury pollution, should take into account the experiences and lessons learned from the Minamata mercury poisoning. This will help ensure that such a terrible chemical and environmental tragedy will not happen again in the Philippines and anywhere in the world, devastating people’s lives and causing injustice beyond measure.

Endorsed by:

Action for Nurturing Children and Environment, Cebu
Advocates for Environmental and Social Justice
Akbayan Party List
Alyansa Tigil Mina
Amabel Foundation
Ang NARS Party List
Arugaan
Assalam Bangsamoro People’s Association
Ateneo School of Government
Bangon Kalikasan Movement
Ban Toxics
Batangas 2 Fisherman Association, Bataan
Buklod Tao, San Mateo, Rizal
Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino – National Capital Region
Cavite Green Coalition
Citizens Concerned with Advocating Philippine Environmental Sustainability
Consumer Rights for Safe Food
Ecological Society of the Philippines
EcoWaste Coalition
Freedom from Debt Coalition, Cebu
Go Organic Davao City
Go Organic Mindanao
Green Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Environment and Sustainable Economy
Greenpeace Southeast Asia
Health Care Without Harm – Asia
International Academy on Oral Medicine and Toxicology - Philippines
Interface Development Interventions, Davao City
IPEN
Kapwa Upliftment Foundation
Kinablangan Elementary School Alumni Association, Davao Oriental
Kinaiyahan Foundation, Davao City
Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod, Cebu
Krusada sa Kalikasan, Nueva Ecija
Kupkop Kabayan Foundation, Inc.
Malikhaing Landas na Magpapayabong sa Sining at Kultura, Cavite
Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying
Metsa Foundation, Davao City
Mother Earth Foundation
Oceana Philippines
OND HESED Foundation
Partnership for Clean Air
Peoples Alternative Study Center for Research and Education in Social
Development
Philippine Earth Justice Center
Philippine Human Rights Information Center
Samahan ng Kababaihan sa Kaunlaran – Cavite
Sanlakas - Cebu
SARILAYA, GMA, Cavite
Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa
Sining Yapak
Think Green Initiative