As ethanol plant loses millions foul odor from wastes prompts netizens' call to stop pollution

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — At least 300 netizens have signed an online petition to stop the ethanol pollution, complaining of the foul odor from the ethanol plant of San Carlos Bionergy Inc., that has been affecting the communities in San Carlos City and Calatrava town.

In the petition, the netizens declared that the foul odor has affected the health of the people as there are recorded cases of hospitalization and other breathing-related problems. Further, they claimed that the pollution in rivers and coastal areas had affected the marine life.

The San Carlos Bionergy Inc. general manager Jojo Salvador, said he was only informed about it recently and assured the public that the company has been doing everything it can to prevent further discharge of the plant's waste water into the sea, causing the stink and even a fish kill in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Salvador said the firm was not sleeping on the issue, and explained that it will take two to three weeks for the organic matter in the waste water to decompose.

He clarified reports that the firm's operations were stopped by the city government due to the incident. He said the management voluntarily stopped for three days to contain the situation. "We find ways and means to address the concern."

The management acted on its own volition, adding that the company had incurred millions in loses after it halted its operations from April 14 to 16.

However, he pointed out that if the ethanol plant closes, sugar field workers will also lose their livelihood, and not only the 300 employees and their dependents. "Let's give ethanol a chance," Salvador said. (FREEMAN)