DENR seeks to stop smuggling of ODS

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has begun linking up with other government agencies to stop the smuggling of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), which are used in cars, refrigerators, cleaning sprays and other household items.

The Environmental Management Bureau of the department needs help from the Bureau of Customs, Philippine National Police, Maritime Group and other agencies to monitor the ODS importation and exportation in the country.

The DENR said the country is determined to implement the total phase-out of ODS in January 2010 as set by the Montreal Protocol. At the same time, the DENR began strictly regulating the importation of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), a kind of ODS.

The most widely used kind of ODS is CFC, which is commonly called freon. Used as a cooling agent for refrigerators and air-conditioners, CFC is also a blowing agent for foam, and a propellant for spray cans and solvent.

Smugglers have begun using ingenious methods in concealing the ODS in cargo shipments, like hiding them in traveler's backpacks. Others resort to fraudulent transshipment.

"This environmental crime done by unscrupulous smugglers can be prevented by stringent checking of documents, matching import documents with consignment, inspecting the consignment, routine checking of imports of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), using refrigerant identifiers, and checking the recycling capacity and vigilance of countries of origin at border crossings. Raising the awareness of customs officers is also one of the preventive measures," DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes said in a memorandum. - Jasmin R. Uy