“The youth are vital to our country’s future, and their development requires a safe, healthy and toxics-free school environment that fosters not just academic excellence but also their ability to explore and grow without fear of harm.”
This was the statement of BAN Toxics Executive Director Reynaldo San Juan Jr. during the Toxics-Free Schools Program event held at Florentino Torres High School (FTHS) in Tondo, Manila, in celebration of World Children’s Day. The event, attended by around 300 junior high school students, faculty, school administrators, and parents, highlighted the importance of safeguarding children from hazardous chemicals present in their daily environment.
One of the resource speakers during the event, Dr. Annabelle Sinlao, M.D., from the Manila Central University College of Medicine, gave a presentation on the “hidden dangers” of toxic metals and chemicals in children’s products, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. She explained the sources of these hazardous substances and their harmful effects on children’s health.
Meanwhile, representatives from the Council for the Welfare of Children also discussed their programs and advocacies as the primary government agency responsible for ensuring children’s rights and well-being.
For their part, BAN Toxics presented their Toxics-Free and Waste-Free Schools Program (TFSP), an initiative launched in 2013 to promote the proper handling and management of toxic chemicals and waste in schools, homes, and communities. The program focuses on advocating for non-toxic alternatives, developing solutions for proper chemical and waste management, integrating toxics education into school curricula, and providing training and capacity-building for teachers.
November 20 is observed as World Children’s Day to commemorate the establishment of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Meanwhile, the entire month of November is celebrated as National Children’s Month under Republic Act No. 10661.
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