eng - World Organisation Against Torture

problems, such as air and water pollutionand environmental degradationwhich have serious consequencesfor children’s health and development.As regards access to safe drinkingwater and sanitation, the Committee isconcerned about the regional disparities.Furthermore, poor knowledge of hygienicpractices both among children and theirparents give cause for concern.61. The Committee recommends that theState party:(a) Continue to strengthen its efforts toreduce pollution and environmentaldegradation by strengthening theimplementation of domestic environmentallaws, including Ecological SolidWaste Management Act (Republic ActNo. 9003) and the Clean Air Act(Republic Act No. 8749);(b) Increase children’s knowledge of environmentalhealth issues by introducingenvironmental health educationprogrammes in schools;(c) Take effective measures to improveaccess to safe drinking water and sanitationfacilities, particularly in theremote areas of the country, as well asraise awareness on hygiene among childrenand their parents.Adolescent health62. The Committee notes with appreciationthe State party’s efforts to promote adolescenthealth, including through implementationof the Reproductive HealthProgramme and a joint project on adolescenthealth in collaboration with thePopulation Commission and UNFPA.The Committee is concerned about alcohol,tobacco and drug abuse amongadolescents, early pregnancies and inthis respect adolescents’ limited accessto reproductive health counselling andaccurate and objective informationabout, for example contraception. Thelack of legislation establishing a minimumage for purchasing and consumingalcohol gives cause for concern. TheCommittee also shares the State party’sconcern about the lack of measures toprevent suicide among adolescents.63. The Committee recommends to the Stateparty that it:77