DENR’s Reyes orders closure of Makati commercial complex

REPORT FROM BUSINESSWORLD The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered the Guadalupe Commercial Complex in Makati City to refrain from operating after failing to comply with the government’s water quality standards. In the cease-and-desist order issued Tuesday, Environment Secretary Angelo T. Reyes said the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), which he heads, found the complex violating effluent standards set by the Clean Water Act of 2004. Located on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, the Guadalupe Commercial Complex houses several establishments, including outlets of fastfood chains Jollibee, McDonalds, and Goldilocks. Radio station RMN also holds office in the complex. Mr. Reyes required the coplex to submit a comprehensive pollution control program, including the plans and specifications of the firm’s anti-pollution facility, its budget and the timeline for the plan. He also ordered the firm to submit a surety bond equivalent to 25% of the total cost of its pollution control program. The complex, however, has yet to set up a pollution control program. Mr. Reyes said the commercial complex was also required to submit a detailed description of interim remedial measures it will institute to mitigate pollution pending the completion of its program. It was also required to hire a Pollution Control Officer (PCO) duly accredited by the DENR. The order stemmed from a survey which was conducted on July 13, 2006 by the Environmental Management Bureau--National Capital Region (EMB-NCR). The survey had shown that the complex had no permit for discharges to the drainage system of EDSA leading to the Pasig River. The results of the survey led the EMB-NCR to issue a notice of violation against the complex in August 2006. The establishment had sought for an extension to comply with the requirements. This had been granted by the environment bureau on October 25, 2006. However, the management of the Guadalupe Complex failed to secure a discharge permit. A random sampling of its wastewater also showed the presence of color, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids, and oil and grease, the Environment department said. Guillermo Montecillo, chief of maintenance of the Guadalupe Complex, said the establishment has already hired a consultant to draft the pollution control program. In an interview, Mr. Montecillo told BusinessWorld it would take months to comply with the Environment depart-ment’s standards. But he also said the establishment expects the construction of the discharge facilities to start by April. He said that for the meantime, the complex was treating the wastewater generated by establishments to comply with the requirements set by the government. — Mark Ivan C. Roblas/BusinessWorld