Radiation contamination found in Misamis Oriental steel plant by PNRI

A plant in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, allegedly manufacturing substandard steel, tested positive for radiation.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, this was confirmed by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI).

“There are some areas in this site that had some elevated radioactivity. But we assure you that this radioactive material that is present in the site has already been contained,” said Maria Teresa Salabit, PNRI radiation safeguard and security specialist.

Authorities also discovered that despite the severe radiation hazards, the rescued Filipino plant workers were not provided with any personal protective equipment.

In contrast, the undocumented Chinese citizens working at the plant were given full protective gear.

“Filipinos are not disposable labor. Filipinos must never be subjected to unsafe working conditions,” said Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director Benjamin Acorda.

Because the raw materials used by the Philippine Sanjia Steel Corporation are radioactive, the PNRI noted that their finished products are radioactive as well.

Authorities added that the steel manufactured by the plant is substandard, posing a major risk to public safety.

“We know na yung distribution nitong mga materials na ito widespread ito,” said National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag.

The plant is allegedly owned by Tony Yang, the brother of Michael Yang, who served as a presidential economic adviser to former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“It was established in 2017, so from the time na-establish yan, doon nagsimula ‘yan. Michael Yang is a very powerful personality at that time,” said Matibag.

GMA News is trying to get a comment from the firm. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA News