Town sues banana firm for pollution
By Edwin Fernandez
Mindanao Bureau
First Posted 16:08:00 11/29/2008
Filed Under: Environmental Issues, Local authorities, Laws
COTABATO CITY -- The local government of Magpet, North Cotabato has sued one of the country's major banana producers over its disposal of suspected toxic wastes in at least two villages.
Mayor Efren Piñol said Saturday that toxic chemical wastes from the plantation of AJMR Holdings had leaked into the villages of Basak and Datu Celo, and that the company has allegedly not done anything about it.
The two villages are near the company's banana plantation at the foot of Mt. Apo.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) repeatedly tried but failed to reach officials of AJMR in Davao City.
AJMR is a holding company of the AMS Group of Companies, which counts Sumifru Corp. of Japan as one of its major shareholders.
Piñol said villagers of Datu Celo were the first to notice the chemical spill, which fouled their drainage system.
Then complaints also started coming in from residents of Basak.
Last week, Piñol said he personally saw the chemical wastes flowing in the canals of the two villages.
"I already called AJMR officials and informed them of the spill but it seems they had ignored the matter," Piñol said.
The company's alleged lack of interest to remedy the situation prompted the suit for violation of environmental laws, Piñol said.
"It was just appropriate to file a complaint against AJMR, which seems to be neglecting its responsibility of keeping the people safe from these chemicals," Piñol said.
He said the municipal government's complaint has already been forwarded to the office of North Cotabato Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Renato Rivera.
"Rivera has yet to act on the complaint," Piñol said.
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