CEDC: Coal ash landfill in Toledo City has ECC

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Energy Development Corporation has denied accusations that its proposed coal ash landfill in Toledo City does not have the Environmental Compliance Certificate.

CEDC’s corporate communications officer Mae Melchor said that the land fill in Barangay Landahan which they operate in partnership with SanVic Agro Builders Corporation has already been granted ECC by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Melchor said that as partner it was SanVic Agro Builders Corporation’s responsibility to secure the ECC. The records show that on March 8, DENR acting regional director Alan Aranguez issued the ECC to the landfill project.

The ECC covers the proposed landfill project with a total land area of 130,000 square meters.

The project includes the development, installation and operation components.

A disposal cell, administration building, tree planting area, composting area, four-chambered filtered water collecting pond, drainage facility, gas venting, leachate collection and leachate treatment are among the components.

CEDC president Jesus Alcordo said that coal ash is not a waste product but a by-product in the combustion of coal in the presence of limestone. He explained that this is therefore not hazardous to human.

In fact, they are selling it because it is a valuable raw material for cement additives. Alcordo said they have already signed an agreement with Geo-Transport that the latter will buy the coal ash from CEDC. —  THE FREEMAN