Marinduque gears up for mercury-free health care

MANILA, Philippines - In a continuous bid to make the Philippines 100-percent mercury-free, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) recently turned over non-mercurial thermometers to the province of Marinduque, which sits at the heart of the country.

“This is a very symbolic event,” said Merci Ferrer, HCWH-SEA’s executive director.  “If we make the heart of the country mercury-free, how can we not make the whole country 100-percent mercury-free?”

The non-mercurial thermometers from Omron Healthcare, a partner of HCWH-SEA in the mercury campaign, were turned over to the Office of Marinduque Governor Carmencita Reyes for distribution to the six municipalities and the Provincial Health Office. 

“We support the initiative of the province to encourage their hospitals to shun away from mercury and to serve as a model to other local government units,” asserted Ferrer. 

In July, the Regional Development Council (RDC) of MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) region passed two resolutions pertaining to the mercury issue.  RDC MIMAROPA is chaired by Gov. Reyes.