'Baklas', dokumentaryo ni Atom Araullo, ngayong Sabado sa 'I-Witness'

I-WITNESS
BAKLAS
Host: Atom Araullo
Airing: July 17, 2021

Sikat ang Barangay Longos sa Malabon pagdating sa pagbabaklas ng sirang appliances katulad ng refrigerator, washing machine, computer, at iba pa. Karamihan sa mga residente rito ay ilang dekada nang nagbabaklas.

Halos kalahati ng mga miyembro ng samahan ay mga kababaihan, mga asawa ng ilang miyembro na gustong tumulong para sa dagdag kita.

Ang 41-anyos na si Joanna ay 12 taon nang nambabaklas. Araw-araw siyang naglilibot sa Malabon, Navotas, at Caloocan gamit ang pedicab upang bumili ng sirang appliances.

Si Lorena naman ay 10 taon nang tumutulong sa pagbabaklas ng lahat ng nakukuhang kalakal ng asawa. May anak silang PWD kaya naman doble kayod ang mag-asawa upang matustusan ang pangangailangan ng anak na may sakit.

Ang mga TV na kanilang nakukuha, hindi nila pwedeng baklasin dahil sa taglay na lason ng ilang bahagi nito. Bagkus, iniipon nila ang mga ito para ibenta sa mga tauhan ng isang malaking recycling plant sa Laguna.

Ito raw ay isang paraan para magkaroon ng kamalayan ang bawat isa sa tamang pagtatapon ng appliances dahil sa nakasasama ito sa kalikasan.

Samahan si Atom Araullo na kilalanin ang mga kababaihang nagsusumikap para sa pamilya, sa lipunan, at sa kalikasan sa dokumentaryong BAKLAS ngayong Sabado sa I-Witness, July 17, 10:15pm sa GMA.

ENGLISH VERSION

Barangay Longos in Malabon is known for dismantling broken or damaged appliances collected from households as far as Caloocan and Navotas. For decades, the people here are salvaging parts and sell them for profit.

But when a group from France chanced upon their lack of proper procedures and safety measures in handling what is called “electronic waste,” they organized the residents to be able to train them in its proper disposal.

Almost half of the members are women who opted to help their husbands for additional income.

41-year-old Joana, who has been doing this for 12 years, has to travel many kilometers, riding a pedicab (a bicycle with a sidecar) to gather the heavy appliances and do the dismantling herself.

Lorena, on the other hand, works with her husband because she has to take care of their 20-year old daughter who is a PWD.

Early last year, a much-needed help came when a recycling plant based in Laguna offered to buy the TV sets due to its hazardous contents.

This prompted the Longos organization to be more responsible for the proper disposal of e-waste because of its unspeakable hazards to health and the environment.

Discover the women of Longos and appreciate their efforts in taking care of their families, the community, and the environment. Watch Atom Araullo’s “Baklas” on I-Witness, July 17, 10:15pm on GMA.#