Philippines to Host Fourth Environmental Technology

UNCLAS MANILA 002423 SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/SCT FOR EILEEN KANE BANGKOK FOR REO HAL HOWARD STATE PASS EPA DOUG STEELE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV KSCA TSPL RP SUBJECT: Philippines to Host Fourth Environmental Technology Verification International Forum in 2009 ¶1. Summary: The Philippines will host the 4th Environmental Technology Verification International Forum November 11-13, 2009. Organizers expect approximately 50 international and 100 Filipino attendees from government, NGOs, academia, and industry. End Summary. ¶2. On October 15, 2008, the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Planning Council considered a proposal to strengthen the Philippines Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program. The proposal included funds to host the 4th ETV International Forum. The DOST Secretary championed the budget proposal, which the Council unanimously approved, and tentatively set the Forum dates for November 11-13, 2009. ¶3. Embassy Manila has hosted two Science Fellows from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with expertise in environmental technology verification in 2008. ONE goal of the Fellows is to strengthen the Philippine Department of Science and Technology Environmental Technology Verification Program. ¶4. In 1995, the U.S. EPA established a program to verify the performance of innovative technologies that have the potential to improve protection of human HEALTH and the environment. The program produces credible, scientifically objective evaluations of industrial and environmental technologies. Such performance data are needed by technology buyers and permitters to make technology decisions and assist in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies. ¶5. International interest in verification is growing. The Philippines, Canada, the European Union (EU),Japan, Korea and the Nordic countries have developed pilot or fully operating verification programs. Other Asian countries have also expressed an interest in developing verification programs. Consequently, U.S. EPA founded the International Working Group on Environmental Technology Verification to develop a common approach to verification so that eventually participating countries will recognize each others' programs and products. The Working Group has held three international forums and recently asked the Philippines Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to host the 4th ETV International Forum in 2009. ¶6. DOST has verified twenty-nine industrial and environmental technologies since 2006. Many of these technologies have become commercially viable. For example, Cleansave Waste Corporation's waste-to-energy product was verified by DOST and is now being used at waste management facilities in the Philippines. KENNEY