Govt shuts down 5 firms for violating environmental laws

MANILA, Philippines – The government has temporarily shut down five firms for violating various environmental laws. Temporarily shut down by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources were: • Victorias Sugar Milling Co. in Victorias City, Negros Occidental • Asian Alcohol Corp. in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental • Mingson Mining Industries Inc. in Mandaue City, Cebu • Tobi Marketing in Parañaque City, Metro Manila • Seaside Seafoods Market and Restaurant in Parañaque City, Metro Manila The cease and desist orders against the five companies were issued last July 22, according to lawyer Jonas P. Leones, assistant director of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and secretary and legal counsel of DENR’s Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB). According to Leones, Victorias was shut down because its factory continued emitting dark smoke from its chimneys despite ample time given to it to stem the pollution. Ambient air samples taken from the surrounding areas of the sugar milling firm showed a total suspended particulates (TSP) with a concentration of 790 micrograms per normal cubic meter, far above DENR emission standards of 300 micrograms per normal cubic meter. "Normal cubic meter" refers to the volume of air at standard temperature and pressure. The Asian Alcohol factory produced effluents of 640 milligrams per liter, which is way above the DENR standard of 150 milligrams per liter for total suspended solids (TSS). Mingson Mining also produced smoke emission that overshot DENR emission standards. Seaside Seafoods Market and Restaurant violated the Water Pollution Act when its wastewater exceeded the DENR effluent standards. The firm was also slapped with a fine of P200,000 for every day that it violated the law. Leones also said that a CDO was reimposed on Tobi Marketing, a firm that makes snacks, after water samples from its nuts section were found to be below DENR standards. In contrast, the DENR has allowed three erring firms to reopen after complying with its requirements: • Shemberg Marketing Corp. in Pakna-an, Mandaue City • Trust International Paper Corp., a paper mill in Budagul, Mabalacat, Pampanga • Puyat Steel Corp., which makes pre-painted GI sheets in coils in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila The DENR issued the formal lifting orders (FLO) on the three firms last June 13. Shemberg also paid a of P1.7 million, Trust International Paper Corp., P1.07 million, and Puyat Steel, P61,800. - D'Jay Lazaro, GMANews.TV