A2D PROJECT LAUNCHES FIRST HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTES BASELINE SURVEY IN CEBU CITY

A2D Project—Research Group for Alternatives to Development, Inc. in partnership with Ban Toxics! and the Cebu City Government conducts the first household hazardous wastes baseline survey in Cebu City. The survey will commence on September 14, 2011 involving 2,400 randomly selected households in 80 barangays in the city. Designated Barangay Environmental Officers (BEOs) will participate in the data collection of the said survey.

The purpose of the survey is to determine common hazardous items found in the household, including storage and disposal practices, in order to recommend policy measures for the proper management of household hazardous wastes. According to Cebu City Councilor Nida Cabrera, chair of the committee on the environment, “the results of the survey will be important for improving the current solid waste management program of the city”. At present, the segregation and collection of solid wastes in Cebu City do not yet account for the management of hazardous waste that contains toxic substances like mercury and lead.

A2D Project, a non-profit research group based in Cebu City that advocates for evidence-based policies and programs, developed the research design for the conduct of the study. This initiative is commissioned by the Cebu City government through the office of Councilor Cabrera and co-funded by Ban Toxics!, an independent non-profit, environmental organization that is devoted to preventing toxic trade.

“The results will be invaluable for creating informed policies that safeguard the health of the public,” said Kaira Zoe Alburo, executive director of A2D Project. The baseline survey will serve as a basis for crafting an ordinance for the proper management of hazardous wastes in Cebu City and for the development of information, education and communication (IEC) materials. The initial results will be released in October 2011.