Dasmarinas City — After championing Metro Manila, Baguio, Davao and General Santos cities, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) this time champions Cavitenos campaigning for a mercury-free Cavite.
"Since the time of our great grandfathers, Cavite has always been in the forefront of the country's fight for independence...It is time Cavitenos take on another revolution — green revolution"
Executive Director
HCWH-SEA
In a forum, Merci Ferrer, Executive Director of HCWH-SEA said that Cavite must follow suit with the rest of the Philippines in going mercury-free and promoting a greener health care and a greener environment.
Green Revolution
"Since the time of our great grandfathers, Cavite has always been in the forefront of the country's fight for independence. The story of the Caviteno revolutionaries has by far dominated some of our history textbooks," Ferrer said. "It is time Cavitenos take on another revolution-green revolution," she added.
Mercury from thermometer breakage, other health care wastes and industrial pollution are released into the air and eventually finds its way to lakes, rivers, streams and ocean.
Mercury is fatal when inhaled and harmful if absorbed through the skin. High doses of vapors released by thermometer breakage may cause lung damage. While at lower doses it is harmful to the kidney and the nervous, digestive, respiratory and immune systems.
"...and the worst thing about mercury is once it is released in the atmosphere, it is transported to the rest of the globe," said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury.
"Veering away from mercury is a big step towards this green revolution," she added. In September 2008, the Department of Health (DoH) issued Administrative Order 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of all mercury containing devices in all Philippine hospitals by 2010.
To date, more that 50 hospitals have phased-out or are phasing-out mercury.