Factory warned over fumes

Valenzuela Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian has warned a factory operating in a residential area that it could be shut down for failing to address complaints.

Residents in Barangay Canumay West have been complaining about the stench coming from Philgalv Industrial Coating Inc. which, according to its website, specializes in hot-dip galvanizing, a process which involves corrosives.

After numerous notices and stop orders from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro), the company implemented corrective measures but these, according to Gatchalian, “seemed to be more window-dressing than long-term.”

On Oct. 12, Cenro recommended the factory’s closure after noting that Philgalv’s mitigating measures were “neither effective nor sufficient enough to fully eradicate the pungent odor.”

In a last-ditch effort, Philgalv presented a long-term, more environment-friendly plan and Gatchalian warned that if this would not be enforced, he would not hesitate “to draw the line between the jobs of [Philgalv’s] employees and the greater welfare of the community.”