Petron denies responsibility for ashfall in Limay, Bataan

Petron Corporation on Saturday denied responsibility over the ashfall incident near its oil refinery in Limay, Bataan that reportedly made several residents ill.

In a Balitanghali report on Saturday, the company said the Petron Bataan Refinery (PBR) did not contribute to the ashfall generated by a coal plant owned by SMC Consolidated Power Corp. (SMCCPC).

"Reports of ash spill and tons of ash found along the coastline of a distant river, which is almost a kilometer away from our facility, is far from the truth," Petron's statement read.

"Our ash pond is located within our facility and near our offices. It has the necessary regional and local permits from the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), is surrounded by dikes, and regularly watered to prevent dispersion."

SMCCPC and Petron were issued directives by Regional Director Lormelyn Claudio of the Environmental Management Bureau Region 3.

The order was based on an earlier notice of violation served against the oil facility last December 28, the same day the Limay ash spill was first reported.

A new order was issued "considering the most recent reports and information on the alleged skin diseases caused by the dumping of bottom ash at [SMCCPC's] facility."

SMCCPC was served a notice of alleged violation demanding an explanation for the ash spill.

"Notice is hereby served in connection with the dumping of bottom ash at [SMCCPC's] facility in Lima, Bataan. This allegedly caused unmitigated spread of ash which affected the health conditions of the residents in the host community," the notice read.

The EMB noted that the companies will face penalties and have their environmental compliance certificate (ECC) revoked if they fail to respond within seven days.

This is based on Presidential Decree No. 1586. PD No. 1586 or the law establishing the Environmental Impact Assessment System requires an ECC to "ensure that a development project will not cause adverse environmental impacts."

The EMB likewise ordered SMCCPC to attend the technical conference scheduled on January 9 at the EMB Region 3 office in Pampanga.

"Failure to attend will qualify you to be considered in default and the case shall be resolved based in evidence on record," the EMB warned.

San Miguel Corp. owns both SMCCPC and Petron Corporation. — Rie Takumi/VVP, GMA News