Government agencies and environmental groups held an inter-agency meeting at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on July 6, 2026, to discuss matters concerning shipments of electronic waste (e-waste) into the Subic Bay Freeport Zone ( SBFZ).
Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the meeting is part of the Agency’s efforts to resolve the e-waste issue which environmental groups allege, violates the Basel Convention, an international treaty adopted in 1989 to prevent wealthy nations from dumping toxic, explosive, and electronic waste in developing countries.
The inter-agency meeting initiated by the BOC was attended by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), as well as non-government organizations (NGOs) such as the EcoWaste Coalition and BAN Toxics.
The meeting focused on identifying appropriate courses of action and coordinating its next steps to address the issue. Participating agencies and organizations agreed to submit their position papers to facilitate a comprehensive evaluation of available legal, regulatory, and policy options. Discussions also covered measures to strengthen existing mechanisms and prevent similar future incidents.
According to Ban Toxics, Task Force End E-Waste Imports was created to stop the purported waste-dumping by the United States (US) in Subic Bay Freeport.
The task force cited that since March 2025, 234 containers of suspected e-waste and a container van of plastic waste have been monitored as illegally shipped from the US into the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
Meanwhile, SBMA OIC-Deputy Administrator (DA) for Regulatory Amethya Dela Llana assured that the companies importing e-waste here obtained Importation Clearance (IC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB).
Since the US is one of only five United Nations member states that have not ratified the Basel Convention, the Task Force End E-Waste Imports said that companies importing from the US violate the Basel Convention.
Dela Llana added that the SBMA follows DENR Administrative Order No. 2013-22 (DAO 2013-22), the official policy regulating the “Revised Procedures and Standards for the Management of Hazardous Wastes” in the Philippines.
It serves as the procedural manual for implementing Title III of Republic Act No. 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990).
Under Chapter 10 of DAO 2013-22, the order permits the importation of specific “recyclable materials”—such as electronic assemblies, scrap metals, and scrap plastics—but only if they are not contaminated by highly toxic components like lead, cadmium, mercury, or PCBs.
A Manila court order also ruled in favor of e-waste importation via the Subic Special Economic Zone. The court declared Subic a separate customs territory which allows private importers to operate freely under DAO 2013-22.
During the meeting, the BOC cited that the Port of Subic is legally bound to comply with the decision and is constrained from taking further action beyond what the law permits. The BOC added that all actions taken by the Port of Subic have been in accordance with court rulings and existing laws, balancing customs enforcement with respect for the judicial process.
Commissioner Nepomuceno encouraged all agencies to remain steadfast in carrying out their respective regulatory functions despite the pending legal proceedings. The dialogue among government agencies and advocacy groups shall continue until a clear and lawful resolution is reached.
The participating agencies and environmental groups reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close coordination, ensuring that all actions are consistent with existing laws, regulations, and national policies on environmental protection and responsible waste management.
