PH Coast Guard hikes fines for toxic waste dumping in seas

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PH Coast Guard hikes fines for toxic waste dumping in seas
Ships caught dumping toxic waste into Philippine waters will be fined P100,000 to P500,000 – up from a previous fine of only P10,000

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard is set to implement this month higher fines for ships dumping toxic waste into the country’s waters.

In a March 4 statement, the agency said ships that dump hazardous waste into Philippine seas would be fined from P100,000 to P500,000 ($2,300-11,300) when a new memorandum circular takes effect.

Memorandum Circular No 11-14 from PCG, which covers “Procedures for the dumping of wastes and other harmful matters within the Philippine maritime jurisdiction,” also requires penalties to rise every 3 years.

“Administrative fines and penalties shall automatically increase by 10% every 3 years from the effectivity of this Memorandum Circular to compensate for inflation and to maintain the deterrent effect of such fines,” said PCG.

The new fine is much higher than the previous one which stood at only P10,000 ($227). The increase, said the PCG, which is in compliance to the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009, puts the agency in charge of protecting marine resources and catching illegal and dangerous vessels, among others.

A person may be fined if caught discharging or pumping noxious, gaseous and liquid substances, toxic and hazardous wastes, and infectious or pathological wastes into Philippine waters.

These substances may be by-products from oil companies, refineries, terminals, depots, ports, ships, tankers, barges and shipyards.

Dumping will only be allowed, said PCG, if it is the only way to avert a much larger threat. 

Deliberate disposal at sea will only be allowed if it is approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through an Environmental Compliance Certificate and laboratory analysis. – Pia Ranada/Rappler.com

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