CONSUMERS URGED TO SHUN TOXIC CHRISTMAS GIFT ITEMS
A CHEMICAL safety watch group has reminded consumers to be on the lookout for potentially dangerous gift products as it released the list of non-toy gift items laden with hidden toxins such as cadmium and lead. Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition, said the items are inadequately labeled, providing not even a clue on its toxic composition, particularly those sold at cheap prices in Divisoria and Quiapo costing between P40 and P140 each. The group listed at least 12 hazardous gifts: Spongebob coffee mug, Fashion Milk Cup, Champion coffee mug, Xiao Dang Ja coffee mug, Santa Claus-themed plate, Christmas bells-themed plate, Fashion Cup with Minion characters, Christmas ball-themed plate, Enfill de Jouer coin purse, Santa Claus coffee mug, Saglife black and yellow body bag and Pikachu sling bag. Cadmium and lead belong to the World Health Organization’s list of “10 chemicals of major public health concern.” Its compounds are also listed on the Philippine Priority Chemicals List, which includes chemical substances that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has “determined to potentially pose unreasonable risk to public health, the workplace and the environment.” the latest trends in the local and global markets. During the summit, the 10 most promising MSMEs in the ARMM were awarded with plaques of recognition for their exemplary achievements. Gov. Mujiv Hataman said one of the major economic strategies in ARMM’s Regional Development Plan 2017-2022 is the promotion and development of MSMEs. Recently, the DTI-ARMM granted P100,000 seed funding and mentoring support to each of the five winners of its first Social Enterprise Ideation Camp. The winners were Langkit Weaving, Halal Organic Agricrops Production and Anaya Solutions, all from Lanao del Sur; Center for Integrated Organic Farming System from Maguindanao; and There is Hope in Daing from Basilan.
MISAMIS ORIENTAL OFFERS FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: FFree legal assistance would be made available at the provincial capitol grounds of Misamis Oriental this Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano said. He added that the program is part of the provincial government’s annual “free legal assistance” to provide the provincial constituents an opportunity to get legal counsel, especially to those who have cases in court. About 30 lawyers and law students representing various fields like employment, immigration, criminal, tax and contract lawyers are expected to come to assist individuals who could not afford to hire lawyers for their cases in court. While the clients would be provided legal advice and assistance in making affidavits, preparation of “deed of sale” is not part of the legal services, Emano said. The program is initiated by the provincial legal office headed by lawyer Cerillo Neil Pacana.