[Media Release]

Sales of electronic products worldwide are set to rise sharply in the next 10 years. And, unless action is stepped up to properly collect and recycle materials, many developing countries, like the Philippines, face the spectre of hazardous e-waste mountains – which include old and dilapidated desk & laptop computers, printers, mobile phones, pagers, digital photo & music devices, refrigerators, toys and televisions. Needless to say, these pose serious consequences to the environment and public health. This scenario gives a new urgency of creating awareness and future establishment of ambitious, formal, and regulated processes for collecting and managing e-waste through the setting up of efficient recycling facilities.

In its bid to be proactive and forward-planning, ICT Davao, Inc. (IDI), an umbrella organization of all information and communication technology groups in Davao City, has taken on the challenge of the e-waste problem and turning it into an e-opportunity.

Creating Awareness

ICT Davao has created a video ad campaign for public viewing to create awareness about the growing e-waste disposal issues for developing cities such as Davao. The tagline, “Davao Can Do!” maintains that advocacy endeavors such as this is doable, hence, uniting all Dabawenyos to participate in this city-wide proactive campaign.

Lastly, as part of its commitment to the Earth Day Network Philippines 2010‘s 10-million movement, IDI supports the importance of addressing climate change and protecting the environment, and that it requires both individual and collective action. Hence, IDI’s e-Tapok event is leading the call for companies and communities in the city to compliment the prevailing theme, Hamon ng Panahon, CLIMATE CHANGE, 10 Milyung Solusyon (Kilos Na! Ngayon Na!) of the Philippines’ Earth Day Celebration. This is a call for all Dabawenyos to sign their pledges by visiting the IDI website (www.ictdavao.org) and help us achieve our target of 10,000 pledges which will be Davao’s contribution to the 10-million movement.

Concrete Action & Sustainability

The awareness campaign will be put into action by creating an avenue at the Damosa Market Basket Canopy area in Lanang through the “e-Tapok e-Waste Weekend Collection Event” from April 24 to 25, 2010, the weekend after the worldwide celebration of Earth Day on April 22, 2010. Apart from e-waste collection, the event aims to gather the private sector, academe, and public government officials, to create an effective web of advocacy influence. Other activities include:

1. targeting 10,000 pledges for the signature campaign;
2. unveiling of “e-waste art monster”;
3. photo wall;
4. viewing of documentary films.

In its plan for an effective and sustainable project, ICT Davao aims to continue its information awareness, complementing advocacy efforts of SM City’s Monthly Waste Collection Fair and NCCC’s Buy Back Fair, and spearheading a move to urge the City Government to establish an efficient and professionally-managed recycling facility to complement regulations on collecting and managing e-waste. At the end of the day, the project aims to be a catalyst among organizations to start adapting “green IT practices” and in recognition of these efforts, possibly an incentive-driven reward.

Sponsors & Advocacy Partners

This advocacy effort will not be possible without the support from the following: Anflocor and Damosa Land Inc., InkTech, NCCC Mall and NCCC Cares, Home Channel Network, Bayan Telecommunications Inc., Amon Marketing Corporation, Brokenshire College, Southeast Software Solutions Corporation, Youth for Environment & Peace (YEP), Creative Factory, Digital Interface, Mindanao Bloggers, Davao City Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. and Basureros de Davao, Philippines-Australia Human Resource Development Foundation (funded by AusAID), Office of Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta, and the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Please sign the “Davao Can Do!” petition today!

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