06 Jul Meeting with the Ambassador of Denmark
Ambassador Jan Top Christensen of the Royal Danish Embassy in Manila invited the SPIK officers for a dinner meeting at the Makati Shangri-la last October 4, 2016 to inform the Philippine chemical industry that the Royal Danish Embassy in Manila has been reactivated after its temporary closure in 2004. SPIK President Gretchen Fontejon-Enarle, Director Jess Laguitao and the ED Jeff Mijares were able to make it. The good ambassador introduced the executives of Haldor Topsoe Denmark, which developed the wet gas sulfuric acid (WSA) technology for the recovery of SO2 from refinery gases to produce Sulfuric Acid using catalysts also developed by the company. The Danish government is now exploring business opportunities in the Philippines.
Public Consultation on CMTA IRR on Post Clearance Audit – Oct. 6, 2016 BOC Port of Manila
Attended the public consultation on CAO on Post Clearance Audit and Other Matters at the BOC, Port of Manila. The representatives of companies mostly lawyers engaged in importations were in attendance and they were given the opportunity to make comments and suggestions on particular sections in the CAO. Issues on the preparation of documents required in the Post clearance Audit were discussed to give ample time of up to three months for the importers and brokers to prepare the documents after receiving the Audit Notification Letter (ANL) from the Commissioner of BOC. The conduct of the Post Clearance Audit shall depend on the yearly audit program of the Post Clearance Audit Group (PCAG). Any importer may also avail of the Prior Disclosure Program without waiting for the ANL or even after receiving the ANL which can be done before or during the Pre-Audit Conference. Upon the failure of a person to pay for the delinquency in the taxes, duties and other charges, the commissioner has two remedies: a) Distrait of Personal Property and Levy on Real Property.
Stakeholders’ Meeting on the IRR of R.A. 9516 – Oct. 11, 2016 Manila Elks Club, Corinthian Plaza, Makati
The meeting was attended by affiliate associations such as the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), Integrated Chemist of the Philippines (ICP) and Philippine Battery Manufacturers Association (PBMA) which are adversely affected by R.A. 9516 which includes the PNP Controlled Chemicals under Sec. 4-D, Types of Chemicals/Accessories Covered. It was noted that matters agreed upon during the last consultation on the categorization of PNP Controlled Chemicals were not considered and included in the IRR. The law in its present form gives the Chief PNP the full authority to include or exclude any chemical or accessories in the list of controlled chemicals without benefit of an interagency technical review. Because of this, it was suggested that a new law should be drafted that would codify all PNP Controlled Chemicals under one law since there many laws and regulations from various agencies under the jurisdiction of the DILG and PNP that impose controls on certain chemicals such as the PDEA and Dangerous Drugs Board for prohibited drugs, PNP-BFP for pyrotechnics and the PNP-FEO for chemicals that can be used as explosives or explosives ingredients. It was also suggested to identify the legislators both in the Senate and the House of Representatives that will sponsor the bill.
FPI Environment Committee Meeting – Oct. 12, 2016 FPI Boardroom, Atlanta Center, Greenhills, San Juan
The highlight of the meeting includes the implementation of the DAO 2016-08, Water Quality Guidelines and General Effluent Standards by the EMB in as much as the new DAO which was signed by the DENR Secretary on May 24, 2016 has been published in a nationally circulated newspaper on May 30, 2016 and registered at the UP Law Center on June 2, 2016. Technically, the DAO is in effect since June 16, 2016. Additional parameters have been included in some industries while others were removed. There is also a provision in Section 10.0 Grace Period which says: A grace period of not more than five (5) years may be given, provided that the establishment submits Compliance Action Plan and periodic status of implementation to the DENR on the steps taken for the establishment’s compliance schedule within the prescribed grace period. Cases wherein grace period may be given shall be limited to any of the following:
a) Values of the GES have become stringent compared to the values in DAO 1990-35. In such cases, DAO 1990-35 shall apply during the grace period.
b) New significant effluent quality parameters were identified for the sector.
Such grace period shall include, but not limited to, moratorium on the issuance of cease and desist and/or closure order, fines and other penalties, against the establishment’s operations.
Public Consultation on the Revised Regulations on the CCO for Mercury – Oct. 19, 2016 AQTC Bldg., Environmental Management Bureau, DENR
The public consultation was attended by various stakeholders, NGOs, representatives from MGB and manufacturing sector. It was presided by the OIC-Chief Emmanuelita Mendoza of the Chemical Management Section. The CCO in its present form and substance is in accordance with the Minamata Convention. It was pointed out by the Chief Legal Division, Atty. Carmelo Segui that even though the Philippines is a signatory to the Convention, the Senate has not yet ratified the agreement thus in effect, the Philippines is not yet bound by its commitments. Nevertheless, Ms. Mendoza said that the EMB in the exercise of its mandate to comply with R.A. 6969 is committed to issue the CCO in another version that has no reference to the Minamata Convention. SPIK had already submitted a Position Paper for the proposed DAO last November 2, 2016.
Sub-TWG Meeting on the Categorization of PNP Controlled Chemicals – October 28, 2016 4th Floor Conference Room, Office of DTI A/Sec Aldaba, BOI
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Pauline Treshia Torre, Investment Specialist, Manufacturing Industries Service, BOI. It was also noteworthy that PNP Officers from the FEO, EOD/K9 and PNP Crime Laboratory were present. Dr. Toby Dayrit, ICP President, VP NAST and member of TWG on Categorization of PNP Controlled Chemicals presided the meeting. Other members of the Sub TWG on Categorization present were: Dr. Annabelle Ramos- DOST, Dr. Lilibeth Coo- UP Institute of Chemistry and SPIK President representing the chemical Industry. Two important issues were discussed:
a) Request for correction of CAS Numbers of the following chemicals:
1. Ammonium Perchlorate (7790-98-9)
2. Ferric (III) Nitrate with (7782-61-8)
b) Request for clarification that Controlled Chemicals listed in Annex A of the IRR are in their pure form
In the meeting, the Sub-TWG on Categorization prepared a final clarificatory statement or position regarding the concerns for recommendation to the Chairs (DTI and DILG-PNP) so that they can resolve the concerns raised by stakeholders on the regulation of controlled chemicals
SPIK Annual Golf Tournament – Oct. 26, 2016 Sta. Elena Golf Club, Cabuyao Laguna
The rain and overcast skies did not dampen the spirits of the golf tournament participants to enjoy and have fun at the golf course. After a sumptuous lunch, raffle prices were given to the lucky winners.
The following are the winners in the golf tournament:
Overall Champion – Romeo Arceo
Champion Class A – Michael Dy of Conell Bros.
1st Runner-up Class A – Jericho Abrugar of Southfield Painting
2nd Runner-up Class A – Nelson Lu of Boysen
Champion Class B – Angeline Baylon of JG Summit
1st Runner-up – Benito Chua of BNC Ingredients
2nd Runner-up – DelziBanzali of Chemlux Inc.
Most Accurate Drive – Jerry Se of Boysen
Longest Drive – Toby Cayanga of Connell Bros.
Nearest to the Pin – Paul Hewitt of BNC Ingredients
Congratulations to the Winners!
Other Matters
1) October 14, 2016 – SPIK has already submitted the Position Paper regarding the regulation on the Implementation of GHS on High Volume Chemicals (HVC). The initial list presented by the consultant was based on the annual chemical imports of at least 500 MT as provided by the BOC. The listed chemicals will still undergo assessment through screening based on the following criteria: Acute Toxicity, Chronic Toxicity, Reproductive Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and Environmental Fate.
2) October 24, 2016 – The SPIK President and Executive Director attended the 36th Founding Anniversary of the Civil Security Group (CSG) of the PNP held at the PNP Multi-purpose Hall to maintain cordial relations with the PNP FEO, the office that handles matters concerning PNP Controlled Chemicals.
3) October 27, 2016 – The Executive Director attended the Forum on “Enhancing SMEs Access to Credit through the Credit Information System at Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City. This is in connection with the USAID COMPETE Project and the Credit Information Corporation (CIC). The salient features of R.A. 9510 a.ka. Credit Information System Act (CISA) which was promulgated in 2008 were presented during the forum.
Announcements
a.) Seminar on International Chemical Regulations and Food and Food Contact Material- December 1-2, 2016, Hotel H2O, Manila
Prepared by: JEFFREY G. MIJARES
Executive Director