Monday, July 21, 2008 DOH, int'l groups cite measures for Princess salvage process
THE Department of Health (DOH) is coordinating with several foreign groups in drawing up new contingency measures in anticipation of the salvage operations next month concerning the MV Princess of the Stars.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the DOH is working on the contingency plans with the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU), which earlier lauded the Philippines' handling of the endosulfan pesticides found inside the vessel.
"A joint team of experts from the United Nations and the European Union noted that the efforts of the Philippine government to prevent and control a potential environmental and human disaster have been successful, and that it is on track with what they are doing to assess the situation," Ermita said.
He said the DOH, UN and EU teams, in coordination with communities in Sibuyan, are drawing up contingency plans on preparedness, readiness and response to hazards and risks "before, during and following salvage operations which will start in August".
Ermita said DOH is also in consultations with the World Health Organization (WHO) on the "acute health and nutrition effects" and how to address such concerns following the fish ban that resulted from the endosulfan discovery. (JMR/Sunnex)
