DENR cracks down on smuggling of ozone-depleting substances

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is taking stronger steps to phase out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and has started linking up with other government agencies to stop the smuggling of these substances used in cars, refrigerators, cleaning sprays and other household items.

Deputy chief of the National Anti Environmental Crime Task Force (NAECTAF) Roy Kyamko said he has mobilized other law enforcement agencies in the crackdown against ODS smuggling and production.

"The DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), in enforcing the ban on ODS, specifically needs help from agencies conducting law enforcement or are in charge of ports of entry in the country to effectively curb the smuggling of ODS in the country," Kyamko said.

He said his task force needs reinforcements from the Bureau of Customs, Philippine National Police Maritime Group, the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority since these are front liners in monitoring the importation and exportation of goods in the country.

Kyamko said the government is determined to enforce the total phase-out of ODS in January 2010 as part of its commitment to the implementation of the Montreal Ozone Protection Protocol.

He also said the DENR has started to strictly regulate the importation of Chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs), which are considered the most widely used ODS. CFCs, commonly called freon, are used as a cooling agent for refrigerators and air conditioners. They are also used as a blowing agent for foam, and a propellant for spray cans and solvent.

The DENR said it has received reports that smugglers were employing clever methods to conceal ODS in cargo shipments, like hiding them in traveler’s backpacks. Others, on the other hand, resort to fraudulent transshipment.

"This environmental crime done by unscrupulous smugglers can be prevented by stringent checking of documents like matching import documents with consignment and inspecting the consignment, routine checking of imports of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs). They can check the import of HCFCs and HFCs by 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," Kyamko said.