By: Ma. Bernadette Parco
Cebu Daily News
17 November 2008
The cabinet at the back of the garage or informal junk shops are no longer the only places where you can store used motor vehicles or used lead acid batteries.
The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP has formalized a tie up with Oriental and Motolite Corp. through the Balik Baterya program.
PBSP member companies can donate their ULABs, which would be collected by authorized Motolite personnel, to the program for recycling.
The collected ULABs are shipped to Philippine Recyclers Inc. (PRI) located in Marilao, Bulacan where these are converted into pure lead, lead alloys and plastic chips. The sulfuric acid from the batteries is also treated.
The ULABs should be disposed of properly because these contain lead, which is toxic. Used electrolytes also contain dissolved lead.
These motor vehicle batteries contain sulfuric acid, which is corrosive and contaminated the soil and water when spilled.
Ingestion or inhalation of these chemicals can cause anemia, high blood pressure, kidney problems, infertility, miscarriage, and nervous system damage.
Children, if exposed to these harmful chemicals, may suffer from neurological disorders like learning disabilities and short attention span.
The practice of sending ULABs to informal recyclers and junk shops is prevalent. But remember, these shops do not practice proper pollution control measures.
Breaking batteries could cause contamination of our water and drainage systems such as canals, rivers, creeks and wells.
Moreover, improper battery recycling is a violation of Republic Act No. 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990 as specified under the Department Administrative Order No. 29 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
PBSP, which is the largest corporate-led, nonprofit, social development foundation in the country, conducted its first series of collection last October 17, 20 and 21.
According to Maria Luisa B. Largo, PBSP Membership and Corporate Involvement Program officer, about 9.6 tons or 9,600 kilos of ULABs were hauled from Lear Automotive Services (B.V.) Netherlands – Philippine Branch, Lear Automotive Services (B.V.) Netherlands – Philippine Engineering and Technology Center, Fairchild Semiconductor and Petron Corporation – Mandaue Terminal.
The following Petron gasoline stations in the following sites accept ULABs: barangays Banilad and Talamban, Natalio Bacalso Avenue, B. Rodriguez Street in Cebu City, North Reclamation area and barangay Guizo branches in Mandaue City. The Petron station along M.L. Quezon Avenue in Lapu Lapu City also accepts ULABs.
Also included are Wellmade Motors and Development Corporation offices in Lapu Lapu Street, Cebu City; Tipolo, Highway, Mandaue City; and Lawaan, Talisay City.
The program is aimed at providing support to selected schools.
“In the first year of the implementation, 100 primary schools in the province of Cebu will be benefited. The proceeds of the Balik baterya Program will be used to establish 300 learning resource centers in primary schools in the Visayas,” said Largo.
Companies are urged to establish learning resource centers through collecting at least 100 ULABs, which has an initial donated value of P40,000. Each learning package contains books, instructional materials and a bookshelf.
At present, there is still no equivalent amount for the 9.6 tons of ULABs that were collected. The amount will be determined by Motolite and PRI, added Largo.
