Act of Concern Essay Example for Free

Act of Concern Essay The average Filipino generates 0.3 and 0.5 kilograms of garbage daily in rural and urban areas, respectively. A recent Asian Development Bank (ADB) 2004 study showed that 6,700 MT of waste is generated daily in Metro Manila. Annual waste generation is expected to grow 40% by 2010 These garbage come in many forms: the styrofoams used by a fast food chain, a broken pair of slippers and wrappers of various snacks are just some examples. For the past decades, issues regarding disposal of these large amount of waste have been a primary concern. Landfill sites continuously blow as more garbage is generated. However, economists would say resources are scarce and limited especially in land. Thus in 2002, the Supreme Court decided to pass Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act of 1999 making the Philippines the first country to ban burning or incineration of all wastes. Incineration is a waste treatment process which uses combustion. Waste materials are converted into ash, flue gas and heat. Incineration does not totally replace landfill sites but rather significantly reduces the volumes of wastes necessary for disposal1 (Wikipedia). But beneath this supposedly positive output lies the harmful effects of incineration to the environment. Environmentalists claim that burning waste materials result to numerous negative environmental, social and health effects. Some of these harms are: †¢ Poison to the environment, human body, and food supply with toxic chemicals. The release of gases like dioxin during the burning process is harmful to every human life. †¢ Production of toxic byproducts †¢ Undermining of waste prevention and recycling †¢ Contribution to global climate change †¢ Generation of waste energy and destruction of vast quantities of resources †¢ Violation of the principles of environmental justice When the ban of combustion was lifted, there went opposition from various groups that were directly affected. These groups were businessmen, firms and rich individuals involved in the business and industrialized sector, for the reason that they find incineration as the easiest and cheapest method of waste reduction. Such a self-centered way of thinking cannot be changed by any reasoning. And â€Å"nature’s revenge† has its means to get even. At the outset, www.hubpages.com reported that 377 people died, 32 still missing and Php 10 billion or over $200 million worth of damage to infrastructure, crops and properties were lost when typhoon â€Å"Ondoy† devastated the whole country last September 26, 2009. Even some parts of the Metro Manila had been temporarily removed in the map. It was noted as one of the most alarming catastrophes in the country’s history. Not only houses, buildings and establishments were destroyed but also families who have lost their beloved relatives. Indeed, the incident had left people nothing but sorrow. Other than this, the Payatas tragedy is also an alarming result of this garbage problem in the country. These incidences would not probably happen if the government has not failed to implement an effective and efficient waste reduction program. So, even though the government has its loop holes or shortcomings in terms of the full implementation process, everyone should be concerned in taking care of the environment. We must all be responsible for our actions. And to quote from one professor â€Å"even the smallest thing we do can make or break our resources.† In the end, if the state will not follow the rules and regulations those will be futile ones and should be abandoned.