Banned But Still on Shelves: Mercury-Laced Skin Lightening Products Continue to Haunt Daet and Naga

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a deeply troubling revelation that strikes at the core of public health and consumer safety, environmental watchdog BAN Toxics has exposed the ongoing sale of skin-lightening products laced with toxic mercury in Daet, Camarines Norte and Naga City, Camarines Sur—despite a nationwide ban issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Between April 26 and 29, BAN Toxics conducted a sweeping market investigation that unveiled the rampant availability of products that should have long been pulled from the shelves: Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene, Goree Day and Night Beauty Cream, and 88 Underarm Whitening Cream. These skin-lightening products (SLPs) are not only unregistered but have also been flagged for containing alarmingly high levels of mercury—a potent neurotoxin known to wreak havoc on the human body.

“The FDA issuance against unnotified cosmetic products containing toxic mercury should serve as a public health warning,” said Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner of BAN Toxics. “These products are hazardous to human health, yet the continued sale of SLPs remains unchecked.”

The findings are not just disturbing—they are staggering. Using a state-of-the-art Vanta C Series XRF Handheld Chemical Analyzer, BAN Toxics previously tested 50 samples of skin-lightening products. The results were horrifying:

Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene was found to contain 16,100 parts per million (ppm) of mercury.

Goree Day and Night Beauty Cream had 17,200 ppm.

88 Underarm Whitening Cream held 2,580 ppm.

All these values obliterate the 1 ppm safety threshold established by the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive.

Mercury, identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top chemicals of major health concern, poses severe threats to the nervous, digestive, and immune systems. Long-term exposure can lead to organ damage, neurological disorders, and even death. For unsuspecting consumers—most of whom are women seeking fairer complexions under the guise of beauty standards—these products are nothing short of a silent killer.

The continued circulation of these banned products reflects a glaring lapse in enforcement, as well as a persistent cultural fixation on skin lightening—a dangerous combination fueling a toxic underground beauty economy. While these creams promise a lighter complexion, they deliver irreversible health consequences instead.

Adding weight to BAN Toxics’ call is its collaboration with the Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG), a global coalition that has warned of mercury-laced cosmetics being readily available worldwide despite international commitments under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, to which the Philippines is a signatory.

The watchdog is urging beauty shop owners to perform due diligence and ensure that all cosmetic products in their inventories carry valid Cosmetic Product Notifications from the FDA. More critically, BAN Toxics demands that regulatory agencies intensify post-marketing surveillance and enforce immediate action to rid store shelves of these toxic products.

This is not just a call for better regulation—it is a cry for justice, accountability, and public protection. How many more lives must be endangered before we collectively act?

The Wazzup Pilipinas founder joins BAN Toxics in amplifying the call to strengthen consumer education, enforce existing bans with urgency, and most importantly, to challenge the harmful beauty norms that push our kababayans into using products that ultimately do more harm than good.

The toxic truth is out. The time to act is now.

For more information and updates, follow Wazzup Pilipinas and BAN Toxics across their official platforms.

SSS Unveils Sweeping Loan Reforms to Empower Filipino Workers on Labor Day 2025

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Lower interest rates, expanded pension access, and new micro-credit loans aim to uplift millions of hardworking Filipinos.

In a bold and heartfelt gesture to honor Filipino workers this Araw ng mga Manggagawa, May 1, 2025, the Social Security System (SSS) has rolled out a series of groundbreaking enhancements to its loan programs. In a rousing announcement made during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Labor Day message at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph M. De Claro unveiled measures that promise greater financial flexibility, improved loan access, and more inclusive support for members and pensioners alike.

A Labor Day Gift for the Working Class

“This is our tribute to the heart and soul of our nation—our workers. Whether they are in the Philippines or abroad, we hear their needs and we are responding,” De Claro declared, echoing the President’s call for inclusive economic upliftment.

At the core of the SSS announcement are three key initiatives designed to offer immediate and meaningful relief: a significant reduction in interest rates for salary and calamity loans, the expansion of the pension loan program to include surviving spouses, and the introduction of a micro-credit loan facility through third-party financial institutions.

Slashing Loan Interest Rates: More Cash, Less Burden

One of the most impactful changes is the reduction of interest rates for SSS salary and calamity loans. Effective July 2025, the interest rate for salary loans will drop from 10% to 8%, while calamity loans will be available at just 7% interest.

“This is for our members who have proven their financial discipline and maintained good credit standing over the past five years,” De Claro explained. “By easing the interest burden, we enable our members to receive greater loan proceeds and reduce their financial strain during times of urgent need.”

Empowering the Widowed: Pension Loan Program Now Includes Surviving Spouses

In a move grounded in compassion and inclusion, the SSS is also extending its successful Pension Loan Program (PLP) to include surviving spouse pensioners. With over 1.2 million surviving spouse pensioners as of December 2024, this expansion—slated for rollout in September 2025—marks a significant step toward financial empowerment for one of the most vulnerable segments of society.

Eligible pensioners may borrow up to P150,000, with the added security of Credit Life Insurance. This ensures that any outstanding loan balance will be settled in full should the borrower pass away before the loan’s term ends.

“We believe that every pensioner deserves the dignity of financial access, especially those who are left behind. This is more than a program—it’s a promise that they’re not forgotten,” De Claro said.

Micro-Credit on the Horizon: Fast Relief for Everyday Needs

Recognizing the need for quick and short-term cash solutions, the SSS is in talks with partner financial institutions to implement a micro-credit loan facility. With repayment periods ranging from 15 to 90 days, this initiative is intended to serve members with pressing but smaller-scale financial needs.

“This facility is in its conceptual stage, but we are optimistic,” said De Claro. “We are working closely with financial partners to build a framework that is responsive, accessible, and fast.”

Driving Toward Digitalization and Livelihood Support

Beyond loans, the SSS is looking to integrate livelihood assistance into its offerings, particularly for sectors like transport, in alignment with the Social Security Act of 2018 (RA 11199). This initiative is part of a larger vision under President Marcos’ whole-of-government approach to poverty alleviation.

The agency is also strengthening digital transformation efforts in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), aiming to streamline services and enhance member experiences. Parallel talks with PhilHealth are underway to synchronize data for improved coordination, while sector-specific engagements are being pursued in industries such as mining, construction, BPO, and the growing gig economy.

A Renewed Commitment

“These enhancements are more than just program updates. They are a reflection of our unwavering commitment to serve our members with integrity, innovation, and empathy,” De Claro emphasized.

As the nation commemorates Labor Day, the SSS’s announcements serve not just as policy changes, but as powerful symbols of recognition and gratitude for the Filipino worker. With lower interest rates, broader loan access, and future-ready initiatives on the horizon, the message is loud and clear: the Filipino worker is not just honored, but empowered.

A Thirst for Justice Involving Primewater: The Water Crisis in San Jose del Monte

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In the heart of Bulacan, the city of San Jose del Monte stands as a testament to rapid urbanization and the challenges that accompany it. Since 2018, when PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation, owned by the Villar family, entered into a joint venture with the San Jose del Monte City Water District (SJDMWD), residents have grappled with a water supply that many describe as inconsistent and, at times, inadequate.

Promises and Realities

The joint venture aimed to enhance water services through infrastructure projects, including the installation of storage facilities and pipeline expansions. Reports indicate that 50 out of 59 barangays now experience a 24-hour water supply, a notable improvement from the pre-2018 scenario .

However, this progress is marred by persistent issues. Residents in elevated areas continue to face low water pressure, prompting the installation of static water tanks as a temporary measure . Moreover, unforeseen events, such as power interruptions, have led to service disruptions, affecting multiple barangays .

Voices of Discontent

The privatization of water services has not been without controversy. Public sector unions and residents have voiced concerns over the quality and cost of water. Complaints range from discolored and foul-smelling water to increased rates and perceived inequities in service delivery .

Financial reports further complicate the narrative. The Commission on Audit noted a significant decline in net income for SJDMWD post-privatization, raising questions about the efficacy and financial viability of the joint venture .

A Call for Accountability

The situation in San Jose del Monte underscores the complexities of public-private partnerships in essential services. While infrastructure developments are evident, the lived experiences of residents highlight gaps that need addressing. As the city continues to grow, ensuring equitable and reliable access to water remains paramount.

Stakeholders, including the national government, are urged to review the joint venture's outcomes critically. Transparent assessments and inclusive dialogues with the community can pave the way for solutions that prioritize the well-being of all San Joseños.

Note: This article is based on available reports and aims to present a balanced overview of the water situation in San Jose del Monte.