City sues firm over toxic chemicals

The city government of Dasmariñas in Cavite sued a waste treatment company for the illegal disposal of more than 200 drums of hazardous chemicals in vacant lots in the city.

Solchem Philippines Inc., a wastewater treatment facility based in Las Piñas City, was accused of violating the Toxic Substances and Hazardous Wastes in the complaint filed by the city government Thursday at the Dasmariñas Municipal Trial Court on Thursday, Mayor Jenny Barzaga said over the phone on Friday.

Named respondents in the complaint were Eduardo Mercado, plant manager of Solchem Philippines Inc., and a certain Roque Gallarte, the company’s contractor in Dasmariñas City.

Environment and village authorities last week discovered the toxic chemical, contained in 233 metal drums, in vacant private properties, later found to have been rented by Solchem, at the adjoining villages of Langkaan I and Langkaan II, after residents complained of foul odor.

The drums of chemicals were found near a deep pit where some of the chemicals were believed to have already been dumped.

Ramon Olaguer, the driver of one of the trucks that transported the chemicals to Cavite, was arrested and identified Solchem as the source of the toxic wastes.

The chemical, described as a thick, blackish substance emitting a smell similar to that of rugby, was still being tested and have yet to be identified. But Cavite Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (Penro) Elmer Bascos earlier said all used chemicals are considered toxic and hazardous and should be properly disposed of.

Olaguer will serve as a witness in the case lodged against Solchem, Bascos said in a phone interview on Friday.

The drums of chemicals found in Barangay Langkaan I, totaling 63, have been transferred to another waste treatment plant in Silang, Cavite, while those found in Barangay Langkaan II would be moved next, Bascos said.

The chemicals will be temporarily kept in the plant of Cleanway Technology Corp. until results of the test sampling became available.

Barzaga said the city government would conduct more tests on the dumpsites after receiving reports that the chemical have spilled on the ground and into a waterway.