KFC vows to upgrade Shaw wastewater system in wake of LLDA closure order

KFC Philippines is committed to ensure all its stores comply with environment regulations, the company told GMA News Online following an order by Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) on Wednesday to close its outlet along Shaw Boulevard for failing to meet the standards on wastewater discharge.

 

Secretary Neric Acosta, presidential adviser on Environmental Protection and LLDA general manager, noted the store did not heed “directives to institute corrective measures for the said KFC branch to comply with LLDA regulations…”

 

In a text message attributed to KFC marketing director Natalie Perez and sent to GMA News Online late Thursday, the company said it is “currently collaborating with the government agencies on solutions to this issue and currently updating the wastewater treatment system at our Shaw store.”

 

The KFC store in Pasig City “has exceeded the allowable limits set by law in terms of total suspended solids, color, chemical oxygen demands and biological oxygen demands…” according to LLDA, citing sampling results of tests done last September.

 

KFC’s Perez noted “this process has no bearing on the preparation and sanitation of the food we serve, in our restaurants.

 

“Sanitation is a priority of our company and we assure all our customers that KFC food products served at all our outlets are safe and clean,” Perez added.

 

Apart from ordering the KFC Philippines to “cease and desists from operating its facilities, equipment and machines that discharge pollutants…” LLDA noted the Clean Water Act or 2004 or Republic Act 9275 imposes a P10,000 penalty per day from the first day of inspection until the problem is corrected.

 

A former congressman from Bukidnon and principal author of the Clean Water Act, LLDA’s Acosta said high biological oxygen demand or BOD was the primary cause of fishkill.

 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency describes BOD as the amount of oxygen consumed by organisms in breaking down waste.

 

“If we do not act on this, it will have a serious impact to all of us since 60 to 70 percent of bangus sold in Metro Manila is from Laguna Lake,” said Acosta. — Edgardo Tugade/VS, GMA News