Controversial plastics firm back in business

CEBU, Philippines – Residents in sitio Pangpang, barangay San Isidro, Talisay City are once again protesting the re-opening of a plastic melting plant near their area. It was shut down last year by the city government following claims that the odor it emitted posed health hazards to residents in the neighborhood.

A number of the complainants last Tuesday night threw stones at ISJ Plastic Center as a sign of protest, claiming that the plant’s operation had caused the death and illnesses to some members of their families.

Teodoro Parba, a resident, alleged that the plant, which is reportedly back to melting plastics again, emits foul odor which causes sinusitis, headaches, and even death.

The plant collects recyclable plastic materials, which are then reportedly melted and turned into plastic pellets to be sent to Manila.

Apart from the alleged “toxic” odor emitted, former barangay councilman Claudio Parba alleged that the waste water from the factory, which is reportedly discharged into a nearby riverbank, also sends out “unhealthy smell,” making some of them sick.

This water reportedly is used in washing the plastic scraps before these are processed.

Residents interviewed by the media yesterday blame ISJ for the death of two siblings, Paul Jason, 17, and Marie Racaza, 14, who passed away last April and May this year, respectively.

They believe that although the two had died for lack of calcium, as based on doctors’ findings, the “unhealthy air they breathed” had largely contributed to their early demise.

Another resident named “Asing” also claimed that his seven-year-old niece Princess Alegado last Tuesday night complained of chest pains allegedly because of the foul smell from the factory. This prompted Asing and her neighbors to throw stones at the walled property of ISJ, which was at that time allegedly melting plastic scraps.

The residents also lament the inaction of the city government to stop the operation, which they claim is illegal.

Late last year, Mayor Socrates Fernandez ordered the closure of the establishment following the complaints, and on the ground that it lacked the necessary permits to operate.

Fernandez’s move came after the city council requested him to issue a closure order to the factory for “multiple violations.”

The council in September last year approved a resolution for such request, after findings proved that ISJ Plastic had been operating for more than year without a business permit, apart from the fact that it had not complied with the Certificate of Non Coverage issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources last May 19, 2009.

However, Fernandez had allegedly issued an executive order allowing it to upgrade its equipment this month.

According to the residents, instead of following the order, ISJ reportedly started operating again. (THE FREEMAN)