House to probe possible environmental violation at Poro Point

The bases conversion committee of the House of Representatives has set an inquiry into reports that the former private operator of Poro Point seaport in San Fernando City in La Union committed serious environmental infractions.

Committee chairman Isabela Rep. Edwin Uy said the panel will also dig deeper into other reports that tagged Bulk Handlers Inc. as having operated the seaport without securing an environmental clearance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

"We would like to be further clarified about the issues including the alleged lack of an ECC and other environmental violations committed by the port developer as pointed to by the (DENR)," Uy said.

Uy said he had already informed Bases Conversion Development Authority chairman Filadelfo Rojas and Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) president and chief executive officer Narciso Abaya of the probe.

Abaya wrote a reply informing the House panel to "fully cooperate" in the probe and submit a "detailed report" on the issue.

Uy said his panel will also "try to determine what measures the House could adopt to prevent similar incidents in the future."

He said the DENR had discovered the seaport operator, Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), lacked the ECC, a basic requirement for all businesses operating in critical ecological areas.

The DENR had issued a cease and desist order against PPIC and its partner Bulk Handlers Inc. last Aug. 4.

The freeze order prompted the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to order Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to take over the seaport operations.

The DOTC stripped the PPIC of its power to manage the facility after San Fernando City Mayor Jane Ortega filed a complaint at the DENR which subsequently issued the order.

Ortega accused the PPIC of being accountable for the damages, along with its partner Poro Point Management Corp. for violating several environmental laws.

She pointed out the firms were operating the seaport even in the absence of the ECC since 1999.

Uy claimed several concerned sectors which included businessmen, ship owners and shipping agencies welcomed the PPA’s assumption of the seaport management at Poro Point following the complaint made by Ortega.

The timely intervention of the DENR, as well as the DOTC is expected to restore normal operations and increased revenues in Poro Point, he said.

Uy stressed the Poro Point seaport is being groomed by the government as the country’s air-and-seaport gateway to the north.

A DENR probe revealed the PPIC had neglected to address the issues of discharge of waste in the seaport operations, posing threats to the quality of water along the San Fernando Bay.

In 1999, the BCDA signed a memorandum of agreement with PPIC for the utilization, development, operation, management, and administration of the 30-hectare seaport.

The MOA included the development of the 50-hectare industrial area, as well as all reclamation works within.

Under the agreement, the PPIC was to remit a fixed annual revenue of P50 million to the government for 10 years without any increase.