MANILA, Philippines — AC Energy Inc. will assess its investments in diesel power plants as it submitted a comprehensive plan to the government to address the impact of the oil spill incident from one of its power barges in Iloilo.
In a virtual webinar last week, AC Energy president and CEO Eric Francia said the company would review its diesel investments following the oil spill from power barge 102 (PB102) in Iloilo City that occurred last July 3.
“We will be making an assessment once we resolve the issues at hand,” he said.
The company said AC Energy Philippines submitted its environmental management plan (EMP) to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB).
The EMP focuses on the detailed plans of the company and the relevant timeline for the implementation of such plans in relation to the key areas which the DENR-EMB stressed and highlighted during the technical conference that it hosted on July 8.
These include the completion of oil spill cleanup and ensuring that water quality is restored to safe levels; continued monitoring of air quality and ensuring that air quality is safe before affected families are allowed to return to their homes; proper collection and disposal of oil contaminated materials and wastes; and rehabilitation plan for the affected mangrove areas and fisheries.
Even with the submission of the EMP to the DENR-EMB, AC Energy Philippines said it would continue to work closely and coordinate with the DENR, as well as with the various government bodies and agencies, including the local governments of Iloilo City and Guimaras, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), to implement the EMP and to take into account comments and other recommendations from these government units and agencies.
Meanwhile, with respect to news reports released on the filing by the PCG of a criminal complaint against the company and some of its officers for alleged violation of Section 107 of Republic Act 8550 (The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998), as amended by RA 10654, for aquatic pollution, the company said it has not received a copy of such complaint and is thus unable to make any specific comment as of press time on the matter.
“Even with the filing of this case, however, the company undertakes and commits to continue cooperating in good faith with the PCG and the other government units and agencies to ensure that the oil spill clean-up is done properly and completed soon, and that the needs of the affected communities and groups are provided for,” the company said.
Last week, AC Energy engaged a third party to investigate the oil spill from PB 102 as it initiated a response to the unfortunate accident.
The Ayala firm implemented containment procedures and skimming operations since the oil spill happened.
The oil spill has displaced 63 households due to fumes carried to the area by winds and were immediately evacuated to the nearby elementary school.
“With the submission of its EMP, and the various clean-up activities that it organized in coordination with industry and local government partners, and the community assistance that it provided since the happening of the oil spill, the company hopes to have demonstrated its serious commitment to do what is right for the affected communities and the environment, including to address the finding of aquatic pollution by the PCG,” AC Energy said.