DENR to check ash pond for leaks; Capitol to explain

Capitol developers of the landfill intended for coal ash waste in Naga City yesterday were told to officially explain why they didn’t follow conditions of their environment certificate in building the facility in the former Balili estate in barangay Tinaan.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) required the Capitol to show why they shouldn’t be cited for violation of their environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

An ocular inspection will be made on July 19 to check the Capitol’s claim that the ash pond was properly sealed.

In a technical conference yesterday with the EMB, eEngineer Adolfo Quiroga, the Cebu provincial planning office head, confirmed that bentonite clay was not used in the pond as prescribed by the ECC.

He said plastic sheets were already placed there to line the pond.

“The bentonite clay has the same function as the HDPE (high-density polyethylene). Putting it would be useless,” Quiroga said.

He said the clay would liquefy when exposed to water since the ash ponds were part of the submerged areas of the estate.

“We also wouldn’t put bentonite clay in the other three ponds,” he said.

Instead, he said Capitol put limestone and high-density polyethylene sheet (HDPS) as prescribed by the ECC.

“We have to make sure there would be no leaks in the pond,” said DENR-EMB-7 Regional Director Allan Aranguez.

If the Capitol’s explanation is not satisfactory, the province will be fined P10,000 per violation for the first offense, P20,000 for the second offense and P50,000 for the third offense.

A fourth violation would mean suspension or revocation of the ECC and another P50,000 fine.