The revival of the death penalty pushed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate has rocked the Philippine Chemical Industry. The House Bill and Senate Bill concentrated on death penalty for drug offenders. Be it as it may, the bills are practically reiteration of R.A. 9165 a.k.a. Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 which imposes the penalty of death for the importation, production, sale and distribution of dangerous drugs. The existing law includes Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals (CPECs) for the production of dangerous drugs which incidentally are imported, produced, traded and sold by SPIK members who are authorized by law to engage in such business. Position paper on the House Bill was prepared but the House of Representative were moving too quickly by defining only drug-related crimes as heinous thus it passed 3rd reading before we can submit our position. On the other hand, we were able to submit the Position on the Senate Bill 42 to the Senate Committee on Public Ordcr and Dangerous Drugs. SPIK hopes that concerns of the chemical industry will be taken into consideration by Congress.

Inclusion by EMB of 42 chemicals in the PCL from the additional list of chemicals that are covered within the scope of GHS for HVCs (High Volume Chemicals).

SPIK members are concerned because this will require compliance to registration regulations on chemicals included in the PCL. Violation of the registration requirement could jeopardize the prompt release of these chemicals from the BOC jurisdiction. Delays entail lost opportunities and added expenses.

A Position Paper has already been submitted after gathering more technical information from our members on the said chemicals to strengthen the position of SPIK to prevent if not reduce the number of chemicals from the proposed 42 for inclusion in the PCL.

A cause of concern is also the inclusion of polymers within the scope of coverage of a draft Memorandum Circular on the Guidelines for the Implementation of GHS for HVCs. Our members are preparing positions and gathering more technical information to exempt these HVCs from the scope of the regulation.

Following up on the offer of Mr. Oscar Barrera, Trustee Chemical Sector of PhilExport to fund a special project that SPIK will propose to his office, a letter request for funding had already been handed to him. The funds that will provided will be used by the TWG that will draft a Bill to repeal R.A. 9516 and modify other related laws on PNP controlled chemicals with explosive properties or components of explosives.

Advisory Board Meeting of USAID STRIDE – March 14, 2017, Makati Diamond Residences, Makati City

The guests were welcomed by Mr. Brian Levy of USAID/Philippines and the introduction to the STRIDE Program was done by Dr. David Hall of USAID STRIDE.

SPIK President Tirthdas and the executive director attended the STRIDE Advisory Board Meeting which was also attended by the DOST Secretary, CHED Chairperson, president of NAST and other government institutions and industry leaders. STRIDE which stands for Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development is an initiative of USAID that has a lifetime of 5 years beginning in 2013. The meeting was important because the project has only 15 months remaining to attain its objectives: Seeking to spur economic growth by boosting science and technology research in the Philippines and Working with Philippine academic institutions to transform their capacity to produce research and graduates relevant to industry.

The establishment of Innovation Centers in the Philippines is very crucial in making the country more competitive globally as well attain inclusive economic growth. The STRIDE Program has 22 scholars enrolled in universities in the U.S. who after finishing their post-graduate degrees will have important roles in country’s economic development.

158th General Membership Meeting and Induction of Incoming Board of Directors and Officers – March 21, 2017, Crowne Hotel, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

The occasion was graced by the presence of Director Jacqueline Caancan, In-charge, Office of the Director, EMB and Concurrent Asst. Director, EMB, the guest of honor who also inducted into office the incoming SPIK Board of Directors and Officers. She presented the updates on the EMB regulations that significantly affect the Chemical Industry. SPIK President Dennis Tirthdas made his President’s Report after which he inducted to new members. Of course, the program is never complete without the report of the Responsible Care Group for SPIK is synonymous to Responsible Care in the chemical industry.

We welcome the new SPIK members, Pan Century Surfactants, Inc. and Pacific Resins, Inc.

SPIK wishes to thank also PhilGPS for sponsoring the 158th SPIK GMM.

2017 BSP Exporters’ Forum – March 29, 2017, Bulwagang Bangko Sentral, Multi-Storey Bldg., BSP Complex, Malate, Manila.

The BSP Exporters’ Forum is an annual event which serves as a venue for discussion with representatives of major export industry firms and associations on recent developments, issues, and outlook for their respective sectors. The forum’s theme this year, “What now for Philippine Exports? Overcoming the Challenges of Protectionism”, highlights the impending global shift towards inward looking and protectionist policies.

SPIK took part in the annual exporter’s survey and submitted the accomplished survey a day after the forum. Exports of chemical products showed a downturn in 2016 based on data provided by the PSA and processed by the DTI Philippine Merchandise Export of Chemical Products. From a total chemical exports with a value of US$ 1.878B in 2015, export performance for chemical products in 2016 showed a value of US$ 1.582B, a reduction of 15.72 % compared to 2015. On the other hand, exports of chemical product as of January 2017, had a value of US$ 187.3M compared to same month of January 2016 which showed a value of US$ 96M only, an increase of 95.09 %. The figures look promising and it is hoped that this trend will continue regardless of changing economic policies of our major global trading partners

The proceedings of the Exporters’ Forum will serve as valuable inputs in BSP’s balance of payment and projections. Copies of the presentations emailed to the Secretariat were forwarded to the BOD for their information.

Green Public Procurement (GPP) Requirements – Intermediate Training – March 30-31, PTTC Bldg., Sen. G Puyat Ave., cor. Roxas Blvd., Pasay City

The objective of the training course is to provide awareness and interpretation training to prospective manufacturers so as to improve their capacity to manufacture and supply products which meet GPP criteria.

The training was organized and conducted by European Union SWITCH Policy Support Component Philippines (EU-SWITCH PSC).

Technical specifications will be established for GPP of Top Priority Product Groups: Common-use Supplies and Equipment (CSE) Products and the Non-CSE Products.

The National GPP Roadmap is advancing GPP until 2022 and beyond. Implementation shall commence with the first set of prioritized items which are at least equipped each with one green core criterion in the technical specifications section of the bidding process.

The Philippine Chemical Industry should be ready and equipped to meet the technical specifications for CSEs and Non-CSEs being supplied to the government.

Seminar on Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Implementation for Regulated and Controlled Chemicals

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in coordination with the Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika (SPIK) conducted a Seminar of Globally Harmonized System Implementation for Regulated and Controlled Chemicals to 45 Manila and Regional Examiners and Inspectors of the Bureau of Customs on March 01 and 02, 2017 at Midas Hotel and Casino, Pasay City

Ms. Cynthia Reyes discussed the overview of GHS while Ms. Milette Mendoza of EMB presented the Philippine Regulation in GHS Implementation during the morning session. Discussion on GHS format of Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and requirements for labeling was done by Ms. Gretchen Fontejon- Enarle. The seminar concluded with a workshop facilitated by Mr. Jonathan Chong.

The seminar for the BOC is an annual activity conducted by the EMB to provide awareness and increase capacity and competency of BOC examiners and inspectors on the different rules and regulations on chemical management of the EMB. Through this program, issues and concerns are discussed and addressed appropriately in the open forum session thus minimizing the delays in the importation and exportation of chemicals.

SPIK Conducts Responsible Care Awareness Seminar

The Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika conducted the annual Responsible Care Awareness Seminar on March 30, 2017 to fulfill its commitment in providing awareness for the effective implementation of Responsible Care

Leading the discussions on the different Codes of Management Practices were the Responsible Care Council Members; Ms. Joy Manzo- Peña, Ms. Cynthia Reyes, Mr. Cesar Domingo, Ms. Arlene Villanueva and Mr. Pio Ramirez. Aside from gaining the knowledge on the effective implementation of Responsible Care, companies were also guided in accomplishing the self assessment report (SAR). Meanwhile, Ms. Gretchen Fontejon- Enarle presented the SPIK Verification Program as well as the Key Performance Indicator (KPI). The two documents, SAR and KPI, are submitted annually as part of the company’s obligation as SPIK member

The seminar was attended by forty (40) participants from 25 member companies.