Group warns from buying toys, costumes with lead

The road in Barangay Manipis, Talisay City will be closed for four days starting tomorrow to give way for the mild blasting activity as part of the road widening construction.

The EcoWaste Coalition is asking the public to refrain from buying costumes, accessories and decors that are coated with paint this Halloween, unless these items are certified as lead-safe.

The group further cautioned the public from buying toys made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, especially items that can be ingested or sucked, that may contain toxic phthalates, which are added to such plastic to make it pliable and soft.

"Even if Halloween trick-or-treating is not typically a Filipino culture, we seem to have adapted it with toy stores, shopping malls and hotels cashing in on this popular US feast,” said Daniel Alejandre of the Zero Waste Campaign in a statement.

The group also urged Halloween trick-or-treat organizers to aim for an ecofriendly event to minimize what the group calls as “hallowaste.”

The group advised Sangguniang Kabataan organizing neighborhood trick-or-treat parades to go for a zero-waste celebration to cut down on trash as well as spending.

Alejandre added that Halloween street events, often led by SKs in urban barangays, are becoming common with kids dressing up, showing off their costumes, and asking for candy treats.

"With the barangay and SK elections scheduled in May 2018, it will not be surprising to see more fun activities such as Halloween parades and parties as those seeking elective posts try to make their names and faces known to their constituents,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7 and the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-7 yesterday conducted a jointinspection of buses at the North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City.

LTO-7 Regional Director Alita Pulga said that they are checking on the roadworthiness of the buses whether these are functional and with complete accessories.

"We are also checking on the validity of the registration documents and franchise, including the driver's license," Pulga said.

LTFRB-7 and LTO7 have already inspected the buses at the South Bus Terminal the other day.