Capitol closes shipyard

THE Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) issued a cease and desist order on the operations of the Michael Slipways, Inc. for pollution.
The stoppage was by the virtue of an Executive Order (EO) issued by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia directing the company to “cease and desist from operating its ship repair facility in Catarman, Lilo-an, Cebu for lack of permits and for violation of environmental laws, rules and regulations.”
The order was served last March 13 by PENRO head, Nerces Bispo with the aid of local officials of Liloan town and police officers of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO).
The order was received by the firm’s clerk, Cecille Balladare at its repair facility in Catarman, Lilo-an.
The EO cited that the residents living near the facility have complained of pollution from the facility resulting in respiratory illnesses among residents.
Aside from that, the order also cited that the facility contributed to the “degradation of the Suba River and Silot Bay”.
The municipal council, in a separate resolution issued in January cited that tests conducted on the quality of the seawaters adjoining the ship repair facility showed contamination of used oil in Suba River and Silot Bay.