CDO, MisOr ferry passengers’ kins alarmed over Endosulfan reports

June 28, 2008

endosulfan By Lizanilla J. Amarga

The parents, relatives and friends of the four missing residents from Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro who were passengers of the MV Princess of the Stars are now alarmed over reports that a potent poisonous chemical called Endosulfan is now spreading over the capsized ferry at the sea waters of Sibuyan island, Romblon.

Philippine Rescue 2000 chairperson Micheal Angelo Bustamante who sent off seven rescue officer said the parents, relatives and friends of the four missing passengers continuously contact him as to the status of the search, rescue and recovery mission sent to Romblon.

“Nabalaka na pag-ayo sila tungod adtong gibalita nga dunay Endosulfan nga nalunod uban sa MV Princess of the Stars (They are now very anxious because of the reports that Endosulfan sank together with MV Princess of the Stars),” he told Gold Star Daily yesterday.

The four missing passengers include Marlon Guinitaran from Barangay Mandangoa, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental; Marlon Mindor from Siayon, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental; Evelio Peralta from Zone 10, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City; and Amelina Genelago from Purok 1, Barangay Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City.

Bustamante who is also a radio broadcaster over dxIF Bombo Radyo expressed concern even for his own seven rescue officers who were sent by him and Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno over to Romblon to find and bring back the above four missing Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro city residents.

He told the parents, relatives and friends of the four missing passengers that their Philippine Rescue 2000 rescue officers are still pursuing their mission but are now ordered to take extra precaution considering the presence of Endosulfan in the sea waters of Romblon.

“But we continue to push on with the mission,” he said. The Philippine Rescue 2000 members sent to Romblon include: RO5 Bonifacio Cayetuna, RO4 Ernesto Napoco, RO4 Joel Vedra, RO3 Jerry Salvana and RO3 Ronald Mercado.

Endosulfan is one of the pesticides used by Del Monte Philippines, Inc. (DMPI) in growing their fruits here in Bukidnon and other places in the country. The chemical was being shipped by MV Princess of the Stars when the ill-fated vessel sank.

Partido Kalikasan chairperson Atty. Manuel Ravanera and Task Force Macajalar spokesperson Bencyrus Ellorin had issued statements on how poisonous the chemical is to human beings.

“If Del Monte claims its products fights cancer, why is it using a very potent highly restricted chemical banned in other countries?” the lawyer said.

He added that the chemical can even go through the skin of human beings and even severely infect them.

Both Ravanera and Ellorin questioned why the information of how Endosulfan was being carried by MV Princess of the Stars only came out only days after the vessel sank.

They said the information about Endosulfan should have been immediately relayed to the people and the rescuing teams to properly prepare them of what they face ahead.

“We cannot believe that Del Monte did not know that such a huge volume of pesticide was being carried by MV Princess of the Stars,” Ravanera said.

But in a statement issued yesterday, DMPI office of the corporate affairs and Legal Department Atty. Eugenio Ungson said while they own the Endosulfan cargo “it was still enroute for delivery to Del Monte and was therefore outside its control at the time of the accident.”

He said Endosulfan is a pesticide that has been used by DMPI for decades without a single untoward health incident.

He added that the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority ( FPA ), the national agency responsible for regulating the use of fertilizers and agricultural chemicals, has specifically authorized its use by Del Monte.

Ungson said the Endosulfan cargo originated from a supplier in Israel and it was packed and shipped in accordance with strict international shipping standards for cargoes of this type.

He said that Sulpiciolines was “fully apprised of the nature of the cargo as all documents were furnished to them including the material safety data sheet (MSDS) from the supplier.”

He admitted that “DMPI continuously monitors the movement of delicate materials such as Endosulfan.”

Ungson said Sulpicio lines loaded the Endosulfan cargo in the M/V Princess of the Stars instead of the M/V Princess of the Paradise which was supposed to be the appointed vessel for this cargo.

He said Sulpicio acted without their knowledge and consent.

“Upon learning that our cargo was loaded in the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars, we immediately informed the FPA. .DMPI is in constant touch with the FPA and other government agencies to ensure that any and all action be taken to avoid and prevent any damage, he said.”

“We want to assure the public that we in DMPI are responsible corporate citizens and we are just as concerned with the environment and are actively assisting the authorities in addressing this pressing situation. “

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Written by admin · Filed Under Cagayan de Oro