By Editorial
Even as the votes cast in the country’s first computerized elections have not been totaled, only four among the presidential candidates, none of them in the top rankings in pre-election surveys, have a firm commitment to a toxic-free health program.
Are we then to lower our expectations from the frontrunners regarding health issues which impact on the people’s well-being but also on the environment?
Are we then to lower our expectations from the frontrunners regarding health issues which impact on the people’s well-being but also on the environment?
According to the Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia, only those bets who signed the Green Health Covenant — Olongapo City Councilor JC delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, independent candidate Sen. Jamby Madrigal, and spiritual leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas were most likely to embrace a green health-care program.
“The health sector is more than glad that these presidential aspirants have taken a keen interest in greening our health care,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA program officer for mercury in health care.
Former President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino did not respond while Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. of the Naciona-lista Party, Sen. Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan, and Former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi-CMD did not sign.
Sen. Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party, on the other hand, did not sign the covenant and instead sent a letter thru his campaign manager Florencio Abad expressing support to achieve a healthy environment for all Filipinos. The letter says, “The dangers of mercury and other substances harmful to the health and the environment and how to address them will definitely be a priority under the health and environment agenda of the Aquino-Roxas administration.”
“We would have wanted Senator Aquino to sign the covenant, for we know that a covenant, just like a contract, is far more binding than a letter of promise,” said Ferrer.
The Green Health Covenant signed by more than 1,500 health care facilities and institutions, individuals, and Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral is a pledge from the health sector to enjoin their candidates to support green health care. A green health care, according to the covenant, is mercury-free, observes proper health-care waste management, regulates chemical use and disposal in the health care setting, and is responsive to climate change.
“It is good to see who will take on the challenge of greening the health care system once elected,” said Ferrer. “While we already have an Administrative Order mandating the phase-out of mercury in all Philippine health-care facilities and institutions, the next President’s readiness to address the issue is crucial in attaining our goal of a mercury-free Philippines and a greener health care.”
Although not as obvious as hunger or nutrition problems, environmental health issue greatly impacts the public health. According to the 2006 World Bank Philippines Environment Monitor, globally it is estimated that 24 percent of the disease burden and 23 percent of premature deaths could be avoided through a better environment.
Environment-related health risks (air pollution, water pollution, and sanitation and hygiene practices) account for an estimated 22 percent of the reported disease cases and nearly 6 percent of reported deaths and costing P14.3 billion ($287 million) per year in lost income and medical expenses.