Australia to cooperate on probe on trash, says ambassador

The Australian government vowed to cooperate with any investigation made on the importation of the supposed trash from their country.

“As I understand that there are tests being made and we welcome those tests. We look forward to the results and we will wait and do what we will have to do on the basis of those results,” said Ambassador Steven Robinson in a statement during a Media Briefing in Cebu City on Friday.

“I am reliably informed that these are actually Processed Engineered Fuel. It comes from Australia (and sent) to the Philippines and is part of a business transaction,” said Robinson.

“PEF is a low-grade nonhazardous fuel processed from waste. That is what we are talking about. It is a viable alternative to fossil fuel used in producing cement fed directly into the furnace. We use PEF in producing fuel in Australia.”

Robinson, however, assured that all required papers and permits in the importation of Processed Engineered Fuel or PEF have been accomplished by the Australian firm which sent the seven containers of PEF to Holcim Philippines, which is producing cement in Misamis Oriental.

The imported PEF, according to Robinson, serves as an alternative fuel for the manufacturing of cement products at Holcim. The alternative fuel would be even good for the environment, he said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Environmental Management Bureau have verified and approved the importation of the PEF, Robinson said.

According to the Ambassador, the DENR had already sent a letter to the Bureau of Customs that says it is not objecting to the importation and use of the PEF.

Robinson was in Cebu Friday, May 24, for the series of activities for the Philippines-Australia Friendship Day, which include trade and business forum with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Australian investors. (Editor: Leti Z. Boniol)