Kepco to contain dust permanently

CEBU, Philippines - Representatives from the Korean-Salcon Power Corporation (KSPC) assured that long-term mitigating measures will be in place by the end of this month.

They made the assurance at a multi-tripartite monitoring team meeting held at the Naga City Hall.

Reinerio Lastimoso, KSPC’s spokesperson, said they’ve been working on this as ordered by the City Government and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Garcia earlier ordered the firm to build a permanent structure surrounding the plant after residents in the area complained of coal dust emissions during the transfer of coal from the conveyor to the coal yard.

Last month, Mayor Valdemar Chiong issued a cease and desist order against the plant’s coal transfer activity.

This, however, was lifted shortly after KSPC assured that there would be no more dust emission in its operation.

Yesterday, residents of barangay North Poblacion, the plant’s immediate neighbor, said they no longer see dark dust in the air after KSPC used a canvass to enclose the area to serve as temporary windbreaker.

By the end of this month, however, Lastimoso said the whole property will be enclosed with a fence about 10 meters high and a net as roofing to ensure that all dust is confined.

Also, the planting of Indian trees around the area has been started. Leaves of these trees will then serve as windbreaker once they grow.

The DENR is expected to call for a quarterly meeting to monitor KSPC’s activities. (FREEMAN)