DENR urged to act on woes of Bataan folk

The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), the largest climate justice group in the country, has called out the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its inaction regarding the operations of a coal-fired power plant in Bataan which had left residents with various health complications due to bottom ash from its operations.

The group was referring to the coal plant of Petron-San Miguel Consolidated Power Corp. (SMC) in Barangay Lamao in Limay, Bataan.

“It was more than a month since they (DENR) issued a notice of alleged violation to Petron and SMC but until now, no immediate action has been undertaken. We don’t think this issue is being taken seriously,” said Ian Rivera, National Coordinator of PMCJ.

The DENR Environmental Management Bureau Region III sent a notice of alleged violation to SMC which was received last Jan. 6, 2017, while another order was issued to Petron dated Dec. 28, 2016, directly from the DENR secretary.

“It was clearly stated in the documents issued to both companies that they are prohibited from continuing their test run and dumping operations while matters are being investigated, but clearly, operations are business as usual,” said Derec Cabe, coordinator of Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement.

In its order, the DENR told Petron that the company had acted beyond what was indicated in its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and had failed to install a Continuous Emission Monitoring System.

It also noted that the bodies of water surrounding the coal plant had been contaminated with hazardous substances. The company also failed to manage the bottom ash produced by the coal plant.

The Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), however, claimed that it had not received any endorsement from the DENR Regional Office regarding Petron-SMC’s case, which left them unable to investigate the case further.

“We need an explanation from the DENR on why they did not endorse this case to PAB immediately,” Rivera said. The group also reiterated that PAB must be assertive on the issue.

“We demand the closure of the Petron coal plant and the cancellation of the ECC granted to SMC immediately. Somebody has to be accountable for this delay. Justice delayed is justice denied,” he added.