The DENR through the EMB regulates the movement and disposal of toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes in the country. There are 46,823 existing chemicals in the country in the updated Philippine Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical Substances (PICCS) and 48 toxic chemicals are not included in the Priority Chemical List (PCL) for strict monitoring.
There are about 11,162 registered hazardous waste generators (HWGs) and 262 registered transporters. The top three hazardous wastes generated are putrescible/organic wastes, waste oil, and wastes with cyanide. Based on export clearances issued by EMB, approximately forty percent of those exported hazardous wastes were sludge that contain copper, silver, etc. There are some 111 TSD facilities nationwide, most of which are in Luzon. Other urban and industrialized regions have only a limited capacity for treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes, hence the problem of their disposal.
The key challenge is how to properly track and monitor the handling and disposal of toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes.