This refers to the article “Del Monte asked why it didn’t say cargo toxic.” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 7/5/08) The endless finger-pointing over the “misdeclared” endosulfan shipment in the MV Princess of the Stars clearly shows how we Filipinos have mastered the “blame game” to escape accountability.

Sulpicio Lines’ explanation as to why it did not research on the ill effects of endosulfan (because online and print sources yielded only technical definitions of the substance) is not true. A number of online sites provide basic safety guidelines and precautionary measures in the handling of endosulfan and they can easily be understood even by a layman. (e.g. http://www.pesticideinfo.org)

Besides, it’s the main responsibility of Sulpicio Lines’ safety officer to research and understand the technical aspects of the toxic substance through its MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), to make the necessary risk assessment and to recommend safety measures to the management of Sulpicio Lines. If the company’s safety officer is incompetent in his job, it is the responsibility of the company to replace him with somebody competent and knowledgeable.

Endosulfan, an insecticide classified as organic chlorine, is known to be toxic to human and aquatic organism. Potential toxicity to humans include carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity and acute toxicity. These are the reasons this substance is either banned or restricted in other countries like South Africa, Sri Lanka, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Belize, Kuwait and Canada.

In the Philippines, endosulfan has been listed in the Philippine Chemical Substance Inventory since 1991 under CAS Number 115-29-7. CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) is a unique, internationally adopted identification number assigned to a hazardous chemical substance. Endosulfan, having been classified as “moderately hazardous” by the World Health Organization, should have had a transport permit, as required by Republic Act 6969 (Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990).

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as the implementing agency of RA 6969, should order an investigation to determine the culpability of all the parties involved in the shipment of the misdeclared hazardous substance.

The DENR may likewise join the Maritime Industry Authority in the latter’s current investigation to determine the culpability of Sulpicio Lines, Del Monte Inc., Bayer Philippines and its broker, as well as the transportation agencies under RA 6969. If the cargo had no stickers or signs indicating that it was dangerous or hazardous—as claimed by Sulpicio Lines’ cargo operations officer—the shipper should also be made accountable.

Likewise, the failure of Del Monte to declare in the cargo manifest the nature of the chemical substance, whether deliberate or unintentional, must be investigated and punished to the full extent of the law.

GENER MARCELO (via email)