In this photo, members of Task Force Baklas take down campaign tarpaulins and posters illegally posted along San Andres Street in Malate, Manila. (The STAR/Edd Gumban)

An environmental group called for electoral candidates to upcycle their campaign paraphernalia like tarpaulins into different materials instead of throwing or burning them after the midterm elections.

EcoWaste Coalition shared pictures of tarpaulins that they have creatively reused such as shopping bags, string bags, pencil cases, shoe bags and school supplies, among others.

All of them were made from tarpaulins and other campaign paraphernalia that was left in the streets after the campaigning season.

Some members of the group held out cards bearing phrases such as “Huwag sunugin” and “Think before you throw.”

An environmental group called for electoral candidates to upcycle their campaign paraphernalia like tarpaulins into different materials instead of throwing or burning them after the midterm elections.

EcoWaste Coalition shared pictures of tarpaulins that they have creatively reused such as shopping bags, string bags, pencil cases, shoe bags and school supplies, among others.

All of them were made from tarpaulins and other campaign paraphernalia that was left in the streets after the campaigning season.

Some members of the group held out cards bearing phrases such as “Huwag sunugin” and “Think before you throw.”

Thony Dizon, the group’s chemical safety campaigner, appealed for the Filipinos to refrain from burning the paraphernalia or letting them liter the street.

“Nakikiusap kami na huwag sunugin ang campaign materials, at huwag din ikalat,” he said in an interview with a local reporter.

Some tarpaulins that were upcycled into different kinds of bags and other materials bore the faces of Makati Mayor Abby Binay, senatorial aspirant Imee Marcos, Taguig mayoral aspirant Lino Cayetano and former senator JV Ejercito.

A particular bean bag, for instance, was upcycled using 20 kilos of plastic tarpaulins, according to the group.

The group also suggested that paper-based paraphernalia can be upcycled as folders, memo pads, envelopes and bookmarks.

Upcycling is when the material is reused “without degrading the quality and composition” of its value for the next usage, according to a sustainability-centered blog.

Earlier this year, EcoWaste warned electoral candidates to moderate their use of plastic tarpaulins as these may contain toxic chemicals that could possibly “leach and contaminate the surroundings.”

“The mass production of tarpaulin banners and posters for the midterm election campaign will surely add to the plastic pollution that our country is wrestling with,” Thony Dizon said in an interview.

‘It’s not a simple solid waste issue as these popular campaign materials are laden with toxic chemicals such as cadmium that may negatively impact on our people’s health and the environment,” he added.

How tarps can be dangerous

Tarpaulins are mostly made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic that may have toxic chemicals containing cadmium, lead and phthalates.

In fact, it has been referred to as “the poison plastic” by Greenpeace, an international environmental organization.

It is commonly known as vinyl and it is one of the most commonly used types of plastic since it is highly versatile and relatively inexpensive, according to Greenpeace.

When PVC plastics are burned, they release chemicals extremely hazardous to the environment such as dioxin. It is considered one of the most toxic chemicals ever produced.

“Dioxins are among the persistent organic pollutants, or POPs, that are targeted for global minimization, if not elimination, under the Stockholm Convention on POPs, an international treaty of which the Philippines is a state party,” EcoWaste said in a report.

World Health Organization noted that being exposed to dioxins in the short-term can lead to skin lesions like chloracne and patchy darkening of the skin. It can also change how the liver functions.

Long-term exposure, meanwhile, leads to drastic impairment of the human immune, nervous and endocrine system. It can also negatively affect reproductive functions as well.

Source: interaksyon.com

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If you often find yourself driving up to Bataan, we have some good news for you. According to a report by the Philippine Star, the NLEX Corporation is reviving plans to extend the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to the area.

The project, the report says, will require at least P20 billion in investments, and will span 40 kilometers from Santo Tomas, Pampanga to Dinalupihan, Bataan.

The company planned to submit its plans to the Toll Regulatory Board in 2018, but did not push through. Now, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) president Rodrigo Franco says the NLEX Corporation is aiming to submit plans by the second semester.

“That’s part of the concession of NLEX, but that has not been built. Delayed a little bit because SCTEX was built also, but we’re studying it if it is timely to push with the construction of that project,” Franco said.

“It will be an extension going to Dinalupihan, Bataan. That’s the alignment of Phase 3,” he added.

Franco added that it’s about time the project pushed through, saying motorists want to bypass the San Fernando area going to Bataan. He did, however, acknowledge that it would still be some time before actual construction of the project begins as right of way would still need to be acquired.

“It’s time to push through with the project because that area in Pampanga, the San Fernando and Angeles area, is rich in urban streets so you may want to bypass that area already if you’re going to the Bataan area,” he said.

Are you looking forward to an NLEX extension to Bataan? Let us know in the comments.

Source: topgear.com.ph

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Heading up north after the elections? Better plan out your routes ahead as Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) will be conducting several rehabilitation works along North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

From May 14 – 17, portions of Lawang Bato, Ligas, Malolos, Sta. Rita, Guiguinto, San Juan, and Longos along NLEX will undergo pavement repair. This means that certain lanes along the major expressway will be closed which may cause some traffic buildup.

Over to SCTEX, MPTC will be busy doing some repair works at the San Miguel Interchange from May 14 – 15. Then from May 15 – 17, the outer and shoulder lanes along the Clark Logistics Interchange (Tarlac-bound) and the Clark Logistics Interchange Ramp G-3 (Subic-bound) will be closed to motorists for rehabilitation.

Besides the lane closures along the two expressways, MPTC also announced that there will also be several NLEX toll lanes that will be closed from May 14 – 28. These include the southbound X16 lane at the Bocaue Barrier, the north- and southbound lanes of X02 and X01 at the Bocaue Interchange Toll Plaza Exit, and the southbound S02 lane at the Bocaue Interchange Toll Plaza Barrier.

MPTC is hoping for the public’s patience and understanding during the repair works.

Source: autoindustriya.com

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Incumbent Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino won a fresh term of office by defeating Anne Gordon in Monday’s midterm elections, according to the latest complete and official results from the Commission on Elections.

Paulino got 58,131 votes, ahead of Gordon’s 26,859.

Independent candidate Jong Cortez, meanwhile, won as vice-mayor with 38,791 votes, ahead of second-placed Jacinto Gardon (17,633).

Jeff Khonghun won the congressional post for Olongapo City with 53,420 votes.

Councilor:

Source: news.abs-cbn.com

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Tampok sa isang wedding reception sa Santa Catalina, Negros Occidental ang mga eco-friendly na kagamitan. Retrato mula kina Bayan Patrollers Pi at Toto Ib-ib.

Mahalaga para kina Audre at Jan Valense Geconcillo ang kalikasan, at sumalamin ito sa mismong araw ng kanilang pag-iisang dibdib.

Eco-friendly ang tema ng wedding reception ng pares na idinaos noong Martes sa bayan ng Santa Catalina, Negros Occidental.

Sa mga larawan ng reception na kuha ng pinsan ni Audre, makikita ang mga saha ng saging na ginawang plato ng mga bisita at mga kawayang ginawang baso at straw.

Retrato mula kina Bayan Patrollers Pi at Toto Ib-ib.

Sagana rin ang reception sa iba’t ibang prutas, mga kakanin, at mga pagkaing sariling atin na nakahain sa dahon ng saging at mga bilao.

Ayon kay Audre, pareho silang “nature lover” ng kaniyang mister na si Jan.

Katuwang ng mag-asawa ang kanilang mga kaanak sa paggawa ng mga ginamit sa kasalan, ani Audre.

Maging ang mga regalong hiniling ng mag-asawa ay maka-kalikasan din.

Natanggap nila ang mga pananim na niyog, at seedlings ng prutas, gulay, at kape.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com

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