Meat processing plant’s operations halted due to foul odor

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has stopped the operations of a meat processing company in Batangas province, after it was found violating the terms of its environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

The regional DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) slapped a cease-and-desist order, dated Sept. 26, on CDO Foodsphere Inc., which operates a 60,000-square-meter plant in Malvar town.

The plant reportedly produces over 93,000 metric tons of processed meat products yearly.

The order noted the “foul odor” that reportedly came from the plant’s rendering area and its wastewater treatment facility.

It noted that the pungent smell “causes environmental impacts and poses nuisance to public health and safety,” thereby violating Condition No. 13 of the ECC.

A notice of violation was earlier issued against CDO, which was tasked to conduct corrective measures to address the foul smell as early as October 2018.

But the regional EMB continued to receive complaints about the plant whose wastewater discharge flows into Alulod River, and into Taal Lake.

The company has 15 days from the receipt of the order to file a motion of consideration with the regional EMB. —Jhesset O. Enano