DENR strengthens efforts to combat smuggling of ozone-depleting substances
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The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) through its Philippine Ozone Desk (POD) is strengthening its efforts to crack down the illegal entry of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in the country by establishing a partnership with the National Anti-Environmental Crime Task Force (NAECTAF) headed by the DENR Secretary himself, the Honorable Angelo T. Reyes.

On June 28, the POD and NAECTAF represented by DENR Undersecretary Demetrio L. Ignacio, Jr., POD National Coordinator and DENR Undersecretary Roy V. Kyamko, NAECTAF Deputy Head, conducted a consultation-meeting with the different government agencies involved in guarding the country against ODS smuggling. These organizations included the Bureau of Customs, Philippine National Police – Maritime Group, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

In the meeting, the DENR introduced the ODS phase-out program and the current international and national trends in trading ODS illegally. The activity was concluded with POD and NAECTAF’s commitment to the other agencies of their support in building the capacities of their enforcement officers by including them in the upcoming Training for Customs Officers and Other Stakeholders in Combating Illegal ODS Trade which will be conducted from July to November 2006.

NAECTAF Deputy Head Usec Roy V. Kyamko explains the role of the task force in combating environmental crime.

When it was discovered that certain chemicals have caused the destruction of the ozone layer resulting in the Antarctic ozone hole, governments took immediate steps to address this global environmental problem by forging the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. In this international agreement, states have committed to gradually reduce and eventually phase out their consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) following a phase-out schedule. The Protocol is considered as the most successful international environmental agreement to date with presently 189 parties.

The most widely used ODS are chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs which are also known as freon. This ODS is used as a cooling agent for refrigerators and air-conditioners, blowing agent for foam, propellant for spray cans and solvent.

The Montreal Protocol defines consumption as production plus import minus export. According to the schedule, developed countries should have phased out their consumption of CFC by 2000. Developing countries, on the other hand, have until 2010 to phase out their CFC consumption.

Because the total phase-out dates are fast approaching and the supply of CFCs is being strictly controlled, there have been many cases of illegal trade and smuggling of CFCs in different countries worldwide.

Since the Philippines is neither a producer nor an exporter of CFCs and other ODS, its consumption is equal to its importation. There have been several cases where the Philippine government was able to halt attempts to smuggle CFCs into the country. Many cylinders in the market labeled as alternatives are fake and contain CFCs instead. When an air-conditioning system is charged with an incompatible refrigerant, the system will break down and the consumers will bear the cost of repair or replacement.

The problem of illegal ODS trade and fake refrigerants has adverse affects on individuals, communities and the country in general. The effects are not limited to damage to the environment but to the country’s economy as well. Hence, all sectors must work together to address this national problem.