Customs tightens control on hazardous materials

MANILA, Philippines —  The Bureau of Customs has banned the importation of neutralized phosphogypsum in line with the government’s tightened monitoring and enforcement of rules to protect the country from the entry of hazardous materials to both human and the environment.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero issued a memorandum stating that the importation of neutralized phosphogypsum is not included in the list of recyclable materials allowed for importation.

Guerrero said the official stand of the agency is in line with Administrative Order (DAO) 22 Series of 2013 or Revised Procedures and Standards for the Management of Hazardous Wastes issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Metodio Turbella, director of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), said in a letter to the BOC that neutralized phosphogypsum is radioactive due to the presence of naturally occurring radioactive elements.

It is also indicated in the limiting conditions of the said order that the importation of recyclable materials or scrap metals should not contain radioactive materials.

Also, considering that phosphogypsum is a waste per se without any recycling to be done, its importation is therefore prohibited.

In line with this, Guerrero immediately ordered that all shipments containing neutralized phosphogypsum shall not be allowed entry and must be shipped back to the port of origin by the importer or shipper.