A Prayer for the Earth

 A Prayer for the Earth

by Pope Francis, Laudato Si

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe 

and in the smallest of your creatures.

You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out upon us the power of your love,

that we may protect life and beauty.

Fill us with peace, that we may live

as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor,

help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, 

so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives,

that we may protect the world and not prey on it,

that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Touch the hearts

of those who look only for gain

at the expense of the poor and the earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,

to be filled with awe and contemplation,

to recognize that we are profoundly united

with every creature

as we journey towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day.

Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle

for justice, love and peace.

Envi groups call for Basel Ban ratification and total ban on waste imports; Blurred lines between “legal” and illegal waste trade turning PH into a dumping ground

The blurred lines between “legal” and illegal waste trade have turned the country into the world’s waste bin, this is the conclusion of a new policy report on waste trade launched today at the Philippine House of Representatives. The report, co-published by Greenpeace Philippines and EcoWaste Coalition, details policy gaps that potentially make illegal waste trade into the country seem legitimate. The groups are calling on the Philippine government to ratify the Basel Ban Amendment[1] and for Congress to pass into law a total ban on waste imports.

“Waste trade has been a perennial challenge in the Philippines,” said Party-List TGP Representative Jose Teves, Jr., “To fully solve this problem, we need to look at not just how current policies may be improved, but we need to take advantage of international policy instruments, such as the Basel Ban Amendment, as well as enact into law a strong waste trade ban.”

The report, titled Waste trade and the Philippines: How local and global policy instruments can stop the tide of foreign waste dumping in the country, is a policy paper that looks at current waste and importation laws to identify gaps and loopholes that allow waste trade to happen. Current thinking on illegal waste trade into the Philippines focuses on lax enforcement of environment and customs laws that make illegal waste trade lucrative, and many reported cases of illegal waste trade are cases of misdeclared cargo. The report shows that, given gaps in policies, actual number of cases of illegal waste trade are likely underreported.

Potential policy loopholes include: allowing “recycling” of imported waste, the current definition of waste in Philippine laws, and provisions that only deal with specific types of hazardous waste and not other types of waste which may also be potentially harmful. Waste trade primarily for “recycling,” and under certain conditions, is legal in the Philippines. However, there is no sufficient and effective monitoring whether the waste would be properly handled once they entered Philippine shores. For example, there have been many documented cases of imported electronic waste, used lead-acid batteries, and plastic scrap (all legal under the law), ending up in backyard recycling facilities, being processed crudely by workers with no personal protective equipment and with no environmental protection measures in illegal facilities, or in registered facilities that lack adequate environmental safeguards or permits.

“Our laws are not strong enough to protect the country from developed countries like Canada, Hong Kong, and South Korea’s potential to abuse the existing loopholes. It is high time for the government to greenlight the ratification so we can have a stronger defense against the potential human security impact of waste importation,” Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition said.

“At its core, waste trade is an issue of justice,” said Greenpeace Philippines country director Lea Guerrero. “Trade of waste typically follows the route of least resistance and cheapest cost, and where either occurs, there is almost always an externalized cost in human and environmental impacts. If the Philippines remains wide open to both illegal and “legitimatized” waste trade at a time when many other countries are closing their doors to waste imports, we will become the preferred destination for foreign waste. We need to address these policy gaps immediately.”

“The immediate ratification of the Basel Ban Amendment, and the bold step of banning waste imports in the country sends a strong message to the international community that the Philippines will not be a dumping ground of any waste.” Atty. Gregorio Rafael Bueta, author of the report said. “There are sufficient international and national legal justifications to ratify the Ban Amendment – and this will be an opportunity for the country to align itself with growing international calls to halt waste trade, especially to developing countries.” 

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Notes to editors:

[1] The Basel Ban Amendment prohibits the export of hazardous wastes and “recycling” materials from rich countries belonging to Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), European Union (EU) and Liechtenstein to developing countries. The Philippines has yet to ratify the said amendment to the Basel Convention Ratification is also called for by the international and national legal bases discussed in this report. Taking this bold step will align Philippine policies with global efforts to curb waste and waste trade.

Source: https://www.greenpeace.org/philippines/press/4205/envi-groups-call-for-basel-ban-ratification-and-total-ban-on-waste-imports/

Throw Back: Vocation Week Reflection 10 Years After

I recently stumbled upon a Vocation Week Reflection which I gave 10 years ago at the Ateneo School of Law. Whether it was purely by accident, but most likely by God's plan, I look back at my thoughts when I was still a law student, and at how I viewed the profession which I am in. Looking back too, I know that the past 10 years have all been part of God's beautiful design, both ups and downs, highs and lows.

As graduation comes for many law students (and also for those in the thick of studying law), I hope this reflection helps you step back, take some quiet time and reflect on the profession you are in. Take time too to offer everything up to God, to surrender to His will, and to allow Him to chart the path that is best for you. And in the words of St. Paul - fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith!

________________________________________________

"Vocation Week
February 16-20, 2009
Ateneo Professional Schools
Rockwell, Makati

Reflection for the 5th day
(February 20 - shared during the Homily period at 12:15pm Mass)

A law student's life can get very monotonous: wake up early in the
morning, have breakfast, read for school, prepare for school, read
some more, have coffee, read again, go to class, read in  between
class, go home, read for the nth time and finally go to sleep having
dreams about next day's lessons. With this kind of lifestyle and the
high standards expected of any student, one will not be surprised at
the thought of law students suddenly being disconnected from the
world. So it's not surprising to find only a few law school students
actually joining orgs, volunteering or even finding time to pray, to
go to mass or engage in other meaningful and worthwhile activities
outside of law school.

I found myself entering this world 3 years ago. Studying law was one
of my options after college and I told the Lord that whatever
opportunities are given to me I'll take it just so long as I feel that
I'm doing His will and His work. While on a vacation I got a call that
I passed Ateneo Law and I realized that this is where God wants me to
go, because He found a way to give me the good news just when I was
trying to find some quiet time after graduation. I prayed before
enrolling, asking for His guidance and blessing and I took the leap of
faith, entered law school and began the journey I'm on now.

The past 3 years had been quite a ride, with ups and downs, triumphs
and defeats, literally like being on a roller coaster. I found myself
preparing for a profession with high demands and standards but
unfortunately, a profession which can also challenge your morality,
values and faith at times. It was a scary prospect to hear that a lot
of lawyers choose to do what is convenient rather than what is right,
or choose to do anything to win rather than doing what is fair and
just. With this dilemma at hand, I prayed to the Lord and asked Him
that if I should lose my way in the future and end up becoming the
kind of lawyer I feared, then He should let me fail law school now,
not become a lawyer and lead me to another vocation. Well with 3 years
down the line, by the grace of God I?m still here in Ateneo Law and
I'm thinking this is still the place where He wants me to be right
now, so I might as well make the best out of the opportunity by
studying and working hard.

The most important role that my faith plays in my life as a student,
as a member of an organization, or as a volunteer in the Ateneo Law
School community is that it keeps me grounded and rooted in good
values, which help me get through whatever challenges I face. It gives
me a firm place to stand on when faced with a dilemma on what to do or
on what path to take. It gives me comfort when things get too hard,
not just with school, but with life in general. Most important of all,
my faith keeps me on the right path - to study law not to be rich nor
powerful or famous, not to be admired nor praised or feared, but
rather to toil and work for 4 years knowing that in the end this noble
profession is indeed the noblest of its kind because at its core is
the desire to serve others, to do justice to every person we meet and
to try to make the world a better place to be in for those who are
most in need.

In the Gospel, we hear the story of Jesus asking his disciples "Who do
people say that I am?" Today, I believe we are being asked the same
question: "who Jesus is to us?" and as I ask this question to myself,
I reflect on my sharing today. Jesus to me is not simply my God and
creator but rather He is my friend, my companion and my source of
guidance and strength as I trod along and continue on the roller
coaster ride that is law school. In everything that we do, may we
always find the compassionate God that Noah knew and the friend and
companion that we always need as we go through this great journey
called life.


GREGORIO "Grip" BUETA
3rd Year Student
Ateneo Law School"

Source: https://lists.ateneo.edu/pipermail/blueboard/2009-February/012093.html

A Different Kind of Fast for Lent - Do It For Climate Change!

Last 6 March, Catholics around the world began the observance of the Lenten Season with Ash Wednesday. During this season, most people usually (or traditionally) give up eating meat, chocolates, or other food considered as "treats". The goal is to experience, at least for a few days during lent, sharing in the simple lifestyle, and suffering of those who have less in life. This is done along with prayers and alms-giving.

During his sermon, a bishop in England called on Catholics to do a different kind of fast -  one for the environment and climate change - instead of giving up sweets and treats. He said people can use less heating (since it's still winter there), take public transport, reduce waste and recycle. He recalled Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si, released in 2015, which decried the consumerist and wasteful lifestyle of people today, to the detriment of Creation, the natural environment and other creatures on Earth.

This is indeed a unique way of fasting and sacrificing for Lent. What better way of giving glory to the Lord than by glorifying and protecting His creation?

Here's a short list of fasting options which I think all of us can easily do everyday, without much sacrifice but with great benefit:

• Ditch that plastic and paper bag - bring your own reusable bag (preferably made of natural materials and not plastic too), it can easily fit your bag or pocket even. Refuse those tiny bags where they put small items which fit your pocket! 
• Skip the straw, plastic cover, and stirrers - when you buy your favorite coffee drink, milk tea, or any beverage, refuse the cover and the straw too, and simply use your God-given body parts. If staying in-store, request for it to be served in a mug (and if they don't have one, demand for it!). Bamboo and metal straws are also available now in the market. Forget those plastic stirrers as well. Usually your drink doesn't need them. If you have to use one, ask for a metal spoon instead. 
• Bring your own set of utensils - single use spoons, forks, and knives - those we use at fast foods and for take-away - also constitute a bulk of the plastic waste out there. Even though these are already biodegradable options out there, its still better to skip these and reduce waste. It wouldn't be too hard to bring a set and tuck it away in your bag. 
• Use a jug or tumbler for water - many people say that water is a basic necessity which should be free, and it shouldn't come from a bottle (this can be the subject of a whole different discussion). Plastic bottles and their caps are another major source of waste. Bring a jug or tumbler along - refill it at the restaurant or coffee shop before you go, or head to the mall's food court for a quick refill. Keep one in the office and in the car, so you'll always have the choice to bring it along. 
• Go for your handkerchief or the dryer to wash your hands - people get into the habit of pulling to many sheets of paper towels to dry their hands. Maybe because its free; maybe because one can find joy in pulling something and magically another one appears in its place. Use your handkerchief, or the hand dryer instead of the paper. If you do have to use one, shake your hands well first to get the excess water off, before you gently pull that one piece of paper out.

The list can go on and on - but will stop here. Feel free to add to this "Lenten fasting list"and share your own little ways of helping the environment. After all, its the small things that each of us does that can have the biggest impact. As one Australian song says - "From small things, little things grow!" 

Have a blessed, and green, Lenten season! 

See: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-47468761

BE HONEST! A Call for Filipino citizens and leaders