MANILA, Philippines - While Canada's new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is yet to arrive in the Philippines for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, some Filipinos are already hoping that his visit will mean hearing out the "take it back" petition that has been filed in advocacy site Change.org years ago.
The petition, urging Canada to take back the pile of garbage it dumped in July 2013 in the Philippines has been readdressed to the new prime minister.
According to the petition, the imported garbage is clearly a violation of Republic Act 6969 also known as “Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990." Moreover, it constitutes Illegal trade pursuant to the Basel Convention “On The Control Of Transboundary Movements Of Hazardous Waste And Their Disposal."
At present, the 50 40-footer container vans containing mixed waste(non-recyclable plastics, used adult diapers, broken bottles and glasses, waste paper, household/kitchen waste) are now left rotting in the vicinity of the Bureau of Customs.
"The garbage juice is now LEAKING and poses extreme health hazards and irreversible environmental problems in our country," it said.
Many Filipinos took to social media to further put pressure on Trudeau. The netizens urged Trudeau to start his climate change commitment by responding and taking action on the issue.
"Pick up your imported garbage, Canada. Philippines is not your trash can.It’s the civil thing to do for a first world country like you," they said.
@JustinTrudeau 98 containers of Canadian trash dumped in PH. Rotting for 2 yrs. Will you clean up after Harper? https://t.co/4huhW2awLN
— Jeng the Awesome (@jeng_ferrer) November 12, 2015 @JustinTrudeau I filed this petition https://t.co/dokAzyrg55 2years ago. I hope you decide to make things right. Please take it back.
— Anna Marie Kapunan (@AnnaKapunan) November 11, 2015 @JustinTrudeau Start your climate change commitment-- respond to PH outrage, 35k strong petition vs. CA trash in PH https://t.co/CzlwEzcLP2
— Starshadow Rivaulx (@Starshadow) November 11, 2015 @JustinTrudeau Start your climate change commitment-- respond to PH outrage, 35k strong petition vs. CA trash in PH https://t.co/CzlwEzcLP2
— Starshadow Rivaulx (@Starshadow) November 11, 2015 @JustinTrudeau Make it right. Take it back #CantTrashUs https://t.co/NxLBdU0DaM @BANToxics
— Betty Romero (@BettyRome) November 11, 2015 .@JustinTrudeau Welcome to the Philippines, I hope you don't mind taking your trash back to Canada. #CantTrashUs https://t.co/i52OibNz5p
— Rene Gatdula (@rengatdula) November 11, 2015 @JustinTrudeau Start your climate change commitment. Follow international law Take trash back to Canada #CantTrashUs https://t.co/4R3EkXAkI3
— Fara Dina Ku Aquino (@faradinaaquino) November 11, 2015 Canada's trash belongs in Canada, not the Philippines. Please do the right thing @JustinTrudeau. #CantTrashUs https://t.co/4RaJM5jpXE
— Jaafar Husin (@jaafarlaila2) November 11, 2015
To date, the petition has gained 39,626 signatures out of the 50,000 target.