Silent Dangers in School Bags: Toxics Watchdog Sounds Alarm on Hazardous School Supplies

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

As the anticipation for a new academic year builds and store shelves brim with colorful school supplies, a chilling reminder shatters the excitement—some of these seemingly harmless items may be silently harming our children.

BAN Toxics, a non-profit environmental watchdog, has once again raised the red flag, urging parents, guardians, and educators to stay vigilant amid the early back-to-school shopping frenzy. Their warning is stark: hidden among backpacks, lunch boxes, water containers, and other school essentials are toxic substances that pose a serious risk to children’s health.

Beneath the Surface: What Lurks Inside

In its latest market monitoring, BAN Toxics found an alarming number of school supplies already circulating in public markets, retail stores, and sold by ambulant vendors—many of them missing proper labeling or any product safety information.

From brightly colored crayons and cute character-themed lunchboxes to inexpensive raincoats and erasers, the products appear innocent on the outside. But inside, some hide hazardous chemicals like lead and other toxic elements at levels far beyond safe limits.

In a haunting example from last year, a kiddie backpack tested positive for 11,900 parts per million (ppm) of lead, while a water container reached a staggering 48,000 ppm—numbers that defy safety thresholds and spell danger for any child exposed to them daily.

Children at Risk: The High Cost of Ignorance

“School supplies should be completely free from hazardous chemicals, as children are especially vulnerable to toxic exposure,” warns Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner of BAN Toxics. “Proper labeling helps verify product safety and enables parents to make informed choices.”

Children’s developing bodies and immune systems make them particularly susceptible to chemical exposure. Toxins like lead can impair brain development, weaken the nervous system, and lead to lifelong health complications. The threat is invisible, but its consequences can be devastating.

Watchdog’s Wake-Up Call to Authorities

BAN Toxics is calling on government agencies—the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)—to go beyond advisories and intensify on-site inspections in public markets and malls.

While the DTI’s 2024 “Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies” guide encourages consumers to verify claims of "non-toxic" labels, BAN Toxics asserts that proof of toxicity testing must accompany these claims. The FDA has also reiterated that even everyday school supplies used by toddlers must meet stringent health standards.

Parental Guidance is Power

To help parents guard against these invisible threats, the FDA and BAN Toxics issue the following vital safety checklist:

Read product labels carefully.

Choose age-appropriate, quality supplies.

Regularly inspect items for signs of breakage or deterioration.

Shop only at trusted, reputable retailers.

Seek medical help immediately in cases of ingestion or adverse reactions.

Report health and safety issues to the FDA.

In an age where affordability often trumps safety, especially in lower-income communities, the watchdog reminds us: health should never be a negotiable price tag.

Toxics-Free Schools: A Call for Action

Through its Toxics-Free Schools Campaign, BAN Toxics commits to ramping up market surveillance and test-buys throughout the back-to-school season. Their mission: to identify and expose hazardous school supplies, advocate for safer alternatives, and ensure every child has access to products that nurture—not endanger—their education.

This is more than a safety campaign. It’s a battle cry for accountability, transparency, and the right of every child to a safe learning environment.

As the Wazzup Pilipinas founder and a fellow advocate for community welfare, I echo this call to action: Let us not wait for a child to fall ill before we open our eyes. Toxic school supplies are not a distant threat—they’re in our bags, on our shelves, and within reach of the most vulnerable.

Let this back-to-school season be marked not by danger, but by deliberate choices for health, safety, and the future of our children.

Faith in Action: Life Builder Fellowship Champions the Future of Church Volunteers Through SSS Partnership

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a bold and transformative move, faith and social responsibility converge as Life Builder Fellowship steps forward to protect the unsung heroes of the church: its volunteers.

In a time when countless individuals serve their communities in silence—without salary, insurance, or safety nets—a light has been lit in Bulacan. The Social Security System (SSS) and Life Builder Fellowship have forged a groundbreaking partnership through the Contribution Subsidy Provider Program (CSPP), sealing their commitment in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed at the heart of Calumpit.

A Sacred Mission with a Secular Impact

At the core of this agreement is a deep recognition of the invaluable contribution of church volunteers—men and women who selflessly devote their time, energy, and spirit to serve others. But often, their devotion comes at a personal cost. With little to no income, social protection becomes a distant dream.

That dream, however, is now within reach.

SSS Vice President for Luzon Central 2 Division, Gloria Corazon Andrada, lauded Life Builder Fellowship’s initiative to subsidize the monthly SSS contributions of an initial group of ten church volunteers for a minimum of six months. “Many volunteers generously give their time and effort without any compensation,” she said. “Through partnerships like this, we ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to social protection.”

But this is just the beginning. Life Builder Fellowship has pledged that this support will grow, potentially covering more volunteers in the near future—a move that could spark similar partnerships across the country.

Beyond Prayers: The Church as a Beacon of Holistic Welfare

What sets this initiative apart is its grounding in both compassion and pragmatism. Life Builder Fellowship is not only preaching faith—they are putting it into practice by safeguarding the futures of those who build the church from within.

“Life Builder Fellowship’s effort reflects the church’s holistic mission—providing not only spiritual guidance but also the long-term financial stability of its members through active social security membership,” Andrada emphasized. “Their strong dedication in advancing social welfare is truly commendable.”

The move also underscores the strategic brilliance of the CSPP, which enables institutions and individuals to support informal and low-income workers by paying for their SSS contributions. In a nation where many still fall through the cracks of the social protection system, programs like CSPP represent a lifeline—and partnerships like this show what’s possible when purpose meets action.

A Pastor’s Promise: Faith is a Future Secured

For Pastor Jesus Bagasin Jr., Head Pastor of Life Builder Fellowship, this is more than a policy—it’s a declaration of love, leadership, and legacy.

“We believe that serving God should not come at the cost of one’s future,” he declared. “By taking responsibility for our volunteers’ SSS contributions, we are not only fostering their spiritual growth but also securing their financial future. This is our way of honoring those who have tirelessly served the church and the broader community.”

It’s a vision that is both practical and profound: that no act of service should leave a servant vulnerable; that every contribution to the church is worthy of care in return.

A Ripple of Hope, a Call to Action

With access to vital benefits—such as sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, funeral, and even loan privileges—these volunteers now face the future with newfound security. What was once uncertain is now fortified with faith-backed action.

The Life Builder Fellowship and SSS alliance is more than a memorandum; it is a message. A call to other faith-based and civic organizations to rise up and uplift those who give without asking.

Because the true measure of any fellowship—religious or otherwise—is how it cares for its own.

And in Calumpit, Bulacan, a fellowship has indeed become a fortress.

This compelling partnership stands as a testament to the power of collective goodwill and institutional empathy. May this inspire more communities to follow suit and ensure that no helping hand is left unprotected.

A Force of Four in Year 4: Vermosa Green Run 2025 Blazes the Trail for Fitness, Sustainability, Youth, and Animal Welfare

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a world desperate for meaningful action, one event is once again proving that a simple run can echo with purpose, passion, and power. The Vermosa Green Run returns for its fourth year on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the lush expanse of the Vermosa Estate in Imus, Cavite, and it’s not just about crossing finish lines—it’s about championing the planet, the people, and even our pawed companions.

With the theme “A Force of Four in Year 4,” this year’s event isn’t just another date on the racing calendar. It’s a clarion call to Filipinos to lace up and run with purpose. Whether you're a casual jogger, a seasoned marathoner, a young athlete, or a proud pet parent, the 2025 Green Run welcomes you to be part of something bigger than yourself.

A New Leg of the Race: Recycling for a Greener Tomorrow

The most groundbreaking feature of this year’s Green Run is the Plastic Donation and Collection Drive—a bold new initiative aligning fitness with environmental stewardship. Participants and spectators alike are encouraged to bring their plastic waste, which will be collected and repurposed into eco-friendly construction materials like sidewalks and fences—physical legacies that will shape the future of Ayala Land’s green developments.

In collaboration with Ayala Land Estates Inc. and Makati Development Corporation (MDC), this initiative marks a progressive step in merging sustainability with real estate innovation. Those who bring recyclable plastics won’t just be helping the Earth—they’ll also receive discounted registration rates, reinforcing the message that good deeds should be rewarded.

More Than a Race: The Categories That Count

The Green Run isn’t limited to one demographic—it’s designed to be inclusive and diverse, offering 3K, 5K, 10K, and 21K categories for all types of runners. But what truly makes hearts swell is the return of the 1K Dog Run, a crowd-favorite since its introduction in 2023. This joyful sprint is more than just a walk in the park—it’s a show of solidarity with animal welfare, giving families the opportunity to bond with their dogs while promoting a noble cause.

Championing the Next Generation: Takbo Kabitenyo

At the heart of this year’s event lies a powerful spotlight on youth sports. Takbo Kabitenyo, a local running group composed of 200 aspiring young athletes, continues to receive mentorship, training, and access to Vermosa’s elite sports facilities through Ayala Land’s unwavering support. These young runners aren't just competing—they’re transforming their lives through discipline, community, and opportunity.

Running with Purpose: Advocacy Beyond the Finish Line

The Green Run’s proceeds are funneled directly into causes that matter deeply to our society and environment:

Pawssion Project, a beacon for animal rescue and welfare.

Haribon Foundation, a frontrunner in reforestation and biodiversity protection.

Takbo Kabitenyo, nurturing young talents into tomorrow’s champions.

Each partner symbolizes a pillar of the Green Run’s mission, making every drop of sweat and every beat of the heart count towards a greener, more compassionate future.

A Movement, Not Just a Marathon

“This isn’t just a run. It’s a movement,” declared Chrissy Roa, Marketing and Communications Group Head of Ayala Land Estates. “Each step you take at the Vermosa Green Run supports a bigger cause; combining fitness, sustainability, and community support into one meaningful event.”

Indeed, the Vermosa Green Run 2025 is no longer just a race—it’s an emblem of what it means to live responsibly, healthily, and with purpose. It’s about making strides—both literal and symbolic—toward a better world.

Whether you’re pounding the pavement for your personal best, strolling side-by-side with your furry friend, or simply cheering from the sidelines with a bag of plastics in tow, know that every action matters. Every run, every bottle donated, every peso raised is a step toward a cleaner, greener, and kinder Philippines.

So what are you waiting for? Be part of the revolution. Sign up, show up, and step up.

For registration and more updates, visit: https://ayalaland.myruntime.com

When you run at the Vermosa Green Run, you don’t just finish a race. You start a ripple.