Various government agencies are presently doing investigations and “immediate actions” on the plight of more than 500 residents in Sitio Pexite in Barangay Lamao here affected by the operations of a coal fired power plant.
Among the agencies acting on the problem are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its attached agencies; the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and local government units.
In a press conference with the local newsmen last December, Mayor Lilvir “Ver” Roque disclosed the violations committed by the said power plant owned by Petron-San Miguel Corporation (SMC) as stated by a report from the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).
EMB Central Luzon reported that they issued notice of violations to SMC on the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Toxic and Hazardous Waste Management Act. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also confirmed the heavy metal contamination of Limay seawaters since July last year after an oil leak happened there.
In an exclusive interview with this reporter with Bataan Governor Albert Garcia, the governor said: “I already advised Petron management to rectify whatever damaged has been done to the environment and to follow the recommendations of the EMB.”
Getting the side of Petron, Edgie Ruiz, the community relations chief of Petron Bataan Refinery, said, “The head office will issue official statement to the media.”
The local government of Limay is also calling the attention of he company to follow the EMB’s recommendation in the proper disposal of their bottom ash, one of the by-products of the coal plant which is reportedly spilling over to Bataan coastlines. –Mhike R. Cigaral