Toxic waste treatment firm set to re-open in Bulacan

PLARIDEL, Bulacan — An environmental group in this town has raised alarm that their water supply and health condition will be placed at risk as a toxic waste treatment firm re-opens in Barangay Sipat in this town.

This developed as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) lifted on March 3 the cease and desist order it has issued three years ago to Enviro-Means Industries Inc., a company that recycles toxic chemicals for commercial purposes, as it has already complied with the standards set by government.

Bobby Javier, a member of the Kaisambuhay Plaridel, a group composed of church and community organizations, said that they were wondering why Lormelyn Claudio, regional director of the DENR-EMB, lifted the cease and desist order.

"Ang totoo niyan, kahit na sabihin pa nila na nag-comply na sila sa mga requirements, ang gusto namin ay tuluyan nang ipasara ang planta dahil ayaw na naming hintayin na manganib pa ang aming kalusugan (The truth is, even if they already complied with government requirements, we wanted the plant to be close as we don’t want to put our health at risk)," Javier told The STAR.

He said that the factory’s wall is located near the river and they are worrying that the waste materials from the plant may contaminate the water system all the way to Manila Bay, passing through the town of Calumpit, all the way to Corregidor.

"Another thing is, 50 meters away from the wall of the plant is the pumping station of the water district.

Last week, the firm submitted an application for a mayor’s permit, including health clearances and a copy of the lifting of the cease and desist order.

Councilor Lorie Surio said that the issuance of a mayor’s permit is purely executive and once approved, they cannot do anything, but she said that at present the members of the Sangguniang Bayan are conducting meetings regarding the operation of the plant and the claims of those who oppose it.