Illegal trading of prohibited beauty products proliferates in Tuguegarao City

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Toxic watchdog group BAN Toxics warns the public against the continuous selling of banned and prohibited beauty products in Tuguegarao City.

In a recent market monitoring conducted by the group, they managed to purchase and document the proliferation of skin whitening products tainted with toxic mercury, priced at P200 to P250, being sold at the Mall of the Valley in Tuguegarao City.

Using a Vanta C Series HH XRF Analyzer, the group found that Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene Avocado & Aloevera had 27,380 parts per million (ppm) of mercury, Goree Day & Night Beauty Cream Oil Free Total Fairness System had 29,930 ppm, and 88 Total White Underarm Cream had 3,895 ppm. All samples contained toxic mercury exceeding the allowable limit of 1 ppm set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as published in the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive.

Mercury is among the World Health Organization’s top ten chemicals of major public health concern. Mercury lightens the skin by suppressing the production of melanin and can also remove age spots, freckles, blemishes, and wrinkles. However, its use can lead to rashes, skin discoloration, and blotching. Mercury can enter the body through absorption, inhalation, or ingestion.

The group has been active in conducting market monitoring and test-buys of different skin-lightening products sold in the market or online to warn the public about the unlawful selling of skin-lightening products (SLPs) containing mercury, a dangerous poison banned in cosmetic product formulations.

“It is alarming to discover that other cities and provinces besides Metro Manila are not spared from the illegal trading of mercury-added skin lightening products, thus jeopardizing public health and the environment,” said Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner of BAN Toxics.

Dizon emphasized the need for attention from regulatory agencies and the local government units to proactively conduct monitoring and enforcement actions to apprehend sellers of banned beauty products and eliminate toxic mercury exposure.

The FDA has issued public health advisories against the use and sale of unnotified cosmetic products of the following:


1. Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene SPF 30 Avocado & Aloevera – FDA Advisory No. 2017-289 / FDA Advisory No. 2023-2344

2. Goree Day & Night Whitening Cream Oil Free – FDA Advisory No. 2017-289 / FDA Advisory No. 2023-2391

3. 88 Total White Underarm Cream – FDA Advisory No. 2021-1187

According to the advisory, “The public is advised not to purchase the aforementioned violative products. Moreover, the public is also advised to be vigilant against cosmetic products that might not be duly notified with FDA.”

“All concerned establishments are warned not to distribute the violative cosmetic products until they have already been covered by the appropriate authorization (cosmetic notification), otherwise, regulatory actions and sanctions shall be strictly pursued.”

“All Local Government Units (LGUs) and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) are requested to ensure that these products are not sold or made available in their localities or areas of jurisdiction,” the FDA stated.

BAN Toxics encourages consumers to file a report to FDA of any sale, distribution, complaint and/or adverse event related to the use of the violative cosmetic products. The online reporting facility, eReport, can be accessed at ereport@fda.gov.ph, or consumers can call the Center for Cosmetics and Household/Urban Hazardous Substances Regulation and Research (CCHUHSRR) hotline (02) 8857-1900 loc. 8113 or 8107.

MPT South Partners with Cavite Tourism to Launch the First-Ever Cavite Tourism Passport

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Metro Pacific Tollways South (MPT South), in collaboration with Cavite Tourism and supported by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) CALABARZON, has launched the first-ever Cavite Tourism Passport.

The launch event was graced by Amadeo Mayor Redel John Dionisio, tourism officers of Cavite, and various lifestyle content creators and media partners. 

The Cavite Tourism Passport aims to encourage tourists to explore the rich heritage, culture, and diverse destinations within Cavite. 

Through this innovative passport program, participants can collect stamps from various attractions and tourism categories for a chance to win exciting tokens from MPT South and its partners. The program will run from May 24, 2024 to December 31, 2024.

The passports may be redeemed at partner establishments, tourism offices in Cavite, and the CALAX Customer Service Center.

During the launch event, guests received their own copies of the passport and enjoyed a modern cultural dance performance by the Reyna ng Turismo candidates. Program partners also expressed their support for the initiative:

“With the development of the “Biyaheng South Tourism Passport,” we have revolutionized local tourism. Travelers can feel even more motivated to discover and engage with Cavite’s beautiful landscapes, and diverse selection of products and services, which also provides opportunities for our local businesses to flourish,” said Mr. Ariel Iglesia, Regional Director of DILG IV-A. “As the Regional Director of the DILG IV-A, I offer our continued support. Know that we are equally as dedicated to reach greater heights, and provide meaningful experiences not just to travelers and tourists, but also to the local communities whose livelihoods are impacted by these initiatives,” he added. “The Provincial Government of Cavite and the Office of the Provincial Tourism Officer extend its gratitude to all stakeholders and partners who are working with us to further boost the tourism industry of the province. Together with MPT South, the Biyaheng South Cavite Tourism Passport is projected to increase travels to Cavite and contribute to our local economic development,” said Ms. Elinia Rozelle Sangalang, Provincial Tourism Officer of Cavite Tourism. "This passport symbolizes our collective commitment to promoting tourism in Cavite," said Ms. Arlette Capistrano, Vice President for Communication and Stakeholder Management

"Through the Biyaheng South campaign, we are highlighting our toll roads and the rich cultural and natural attractions of the South. We hope this initiative inspires more people to explore and appreciate the beauty of Cavite."

This program is part of the Biyaheng South campaign of MPT South, an award-winning tourism advocacy program active on social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. It promotes the toll road network CAVITEX, CAVITEX C5 Link, and CALAX as gateways to the sensational sites and attractions in the South. With over 30,000 combined followers on digital platforms, Biyaheng South has generated more than two million views on TikTok, increasing vehicle traffic along its expressways and helping boost the economic growth of Cavite and Laguna provinces.

MPT South is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC). Aside from the CAVITEX and CALAX network of toll roads, MPTC also holds the concession for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), NLEX Connector Road, and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu.

(Cover photo from L-R) MPT South Manager for CSM Integrated Communications Joan Miranda, Provincial Tourism Officer of Cavite Tourism Elinia Rozelle Sangalang, DILG IV-A Regional Director Ariel Iglesia, and Municipality of Amadeo, Cavite Mayor Redel John Dionisio lead the unveiling of the Biyaheng South Cavite Tourism Passport last May 23, 2024.

(from L-R) Municipality of Amadeo, Cavite Mayor Redel John Dionisio, DILG IV-A Regional Director Ariel Iglesia, Provincial Tourism Officer of Cavite Tourism Elinia Rozelle Sangalang, and MPT South Manager for CSM Integrated Communications Joan Miranda poses with the newly launched Biyaheng South Cavite Tourism Passport which aims to encourage tourists to explore the rich heritage, culture, and diverse destinations within Cavite.

Metro Pacific Tollways South (MPT South), in collaboration with Cavite Tourism and supported by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) CALABARZON, has launched the first-ever Cavite Tourism Passport. The launch event was graced by Amadeo Mayor Redel John Dionisio, tourism officers of Cavite, and various lifestyle content creators and media partners.

Photo Captions:

(from L-R) MPT South Manager for CSM Integrated Communications Joan Miranda, Provincial Tourism Officer of Cavite Tourism Elinia Rozelle Sangalang, DILG IV-A Regional Director Ariel Iglesia, and Municipality of Amadeo, Cavite Mayor Redel John Dionisio lead the unveiling of the Biyaheng South Cavite Tourism Passport last May 23, 2024.

Govt media workers to get social security coverage under the SSS KaSSSangga Collect Program

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The Social Security System (SSS) today said that nearly 600 cameramen, production assistants, reporters, and newscasters working at the state-run television station People’s Television Network (PTV) will now be eligible for social security coverage and protection under the KaSSSangga Collect Program.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet (3rd from left) and PTV General Manager Analisa V. Puod (4th from left) signed an agreement on May 16 at the SSS Main Office in Quezon City. This historic partnership between the two government institutions marks a significant step towards providing SSS benefits to job order (JO) workers in the government television network.


Other signatories to the agreement are (from left) SSS Senior Vice President for National Capital Region (NCR) Operations Group Maria Rita S. Aguja, SSS Executive Vice President for Branch Operations Sector Voltaire P. Agas, PTV Administrative Division Head Jasmine B. Barrios, and PTV Administrative Officer III Felomena T. Arroyo.


Macasaet commended General Manager Puod and other PTV officials for registering its JO workers as members of SSS, which ensured their welfare.


“We laud the initiative of PTV to help their JO workers secure their future and prepare for their retirement by becoming SSS members. We thanked PTV for allowing their JO workers to get the social security protection they deserve,” Macasaet said.


Puod thanked SSS for the partnership, which will help their JO workers, who have been with the network for over a decade, save for their retirement.


Macasaet called on other government agencies and local government units to follow the example set by PTV’s leadership. 'We encourage you to take the necessary steps to secure the future of each of your fellow government workers, especially your JO workers, through SSS membership. Let's work together to ensure the welfare of our workers,' he urged.


Aguja, who also chairs the Task Force on KaSSSangga Collect Program, said that PTV JO workers would be registered as self-employed SSS members under the program. Government JO workers are not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) due to their employment status.


“Under the agreement, PTV will serve as an authorized Coverage and Collection Partner of SSS. This means that PTV can now collect and remit the monthly contributions of its JO workers through a salary-deduction scheme, making the process more convenient and efficient for the workers,” Aguja explained.


As SSS self-employed members, JO workers will gain access to a comprehensive range of social security benefits. These include sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funeral, and death benefits. They can also apply for SSS loan programs such as salary and calamity, providing them with financial security in various life situations.


“On top of SSS benefits, they will also get additional coverage from the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) for work-related sickness, disability or death,” she added.

Aguja said that regular PTV employees can also continue paying their SSS contributions as voluntary members under the program.


As of March 2024, more than 430,000 JO and contract of service workers in 3,197 local government units (LGUs), national government agencies, state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local water districts now have social security coverage through the KaSSSangga Collect Program.