ASEAN wants ‘binding’ measures to tackle haze

CEBU (AFP) — Southeast Asian environment ministers meeting in this central Philippine island would push for an enforcement mechanism to combat choking haze engulfing the region, Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes said yesterday.

Environment ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their counterparts from China, Japan and South Korea would seek binding agreements on haze during their two-day summit, which began yesterday, Reyes said.

"We hope to arrive at a clear understanding and agreement on binding measures," he said in a statement.