Tone-Toneladang Basura Mula Australia, Napunta sa Misamis Oriental

A massive shipment of municipal trash from another country made its way in a port in Misamis Oriental on May 7. According to news reports online, the seven 40-foot containers came all the way from Australia and landed in Tagoloan port.

This was confirmed by an official of the Mindanao International Container Terminal (MICT). MICT port collector John Simon revealed more details in a phone interview with ABS-CBN news. Apparently, the shipment was inspected seven days upon its arrival.

The seven containers of shipment were declared as "Processed Engineered Fuel (PEF) and municipal waste." PEF is not included in the list of allowed imported materials in the Philippines.

In addition to that, the consignee of the shipment was identified as Holcim Philippines Incorporated. This company has a cement plant in Lugait town in Misamis Oriental.

"Ito 'yung basura mong makukuha sa isang siyudad... Parang basura sa kalsada ng Maynila, 'yan ang municipal waste. Dinurog na ganon. Ang question dito, kailangan ba tayong tumanggap ng basura sa ibang bansa? May mga municipal waste dito hindi ba."

On the other hand, according to Holcim cement, the shipment was truthfully declared. The company claimed that the seven-container shipment will be used as an alternative to coal in making cement.

"The company uses co-processing technology, wherein qualified materials such as non-recyclable plastics, rubber, textiles, cardboard, and wood are used as an alternative to coal in making cement through waste management unit Geocycle."

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