THE local government of San Simon, Pampanga, padlocked on May 24 a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refilling station for allegedly committing multiple violations of Presidential Decree 1096 (National Building Code of the PHilippines) and the Revised Revenue Code of the town.
Mayor Leonora Wong led an inspection team and attempted to go inside the 2.7-hectare lot located adjacent to a residential area in Barangay San Isidro.
Wong was assisted by the Municipal Joint Inspection team, Philippine National Police and Provincial Public Safety Company to check on the alleged illegal operation of South Pacific Incorporation, a business allegedly owned by LPGMA Partylist Representative Arnel Ty.
The local officials, though, were prevented from entering the property and were made to wait in front of the firm's gate for two hours.
With this, Wong was forced to shut down the business establishment.
“As mayor, I have the police power to inspect business property in my jurisdiction, especially if it poses danger to my people. But it is clearly evident that they do not want us to go in for reasons we do not know, but what we know is that they are violating the laws and we have the power to shut it down,” she said.
Wong said that South Pacific Incorporation also failed to secure Building Permit, Construction Permit, Certificate of Occupancy and Business Permit, which are required for establishing and operating business.
“Unang-unang viniolate nila ay iyong Building Code (The first thing that it violated is the Building Code). It is stated in the Building Code that no business or no person can construct with building permit and yet it is evident that there was a construction that happened,” Wong said while pointing at the constructed fence and walls inside the 2.7-hectare lot property.
Wong said the facility is operational based from reports she received from concerned citizens as proven by photographs and videos sent to her e-mail address and Facebook messenger.
The management of South Pacific Incorporation reportedly denied the local officials' claims and stated that LPG refilling station is not operational and the property only serves as parking lot for their delivery trucks.
“Akakit ku rin mag-operate la. Viniolate da na naman itang law tamu keng business permit licensing office na eka pweding mag-operate without business permit (I can also see that they are operating. They are now violating the [Revised Revenue Code] which states that you cannot operate a business without a business permit),” said Wong.
At the guards’ house situated at the gate of South Pacific Incorporation, a Bundy clock for workers was installed and functional. Reminders and rules and regulations are also posted on the wall, while several motorcycles are seen parked at the area.
Several tanks are also visible from the outside, but there were no workers seen roaming around inside the property.
“Suprising ngeni kung gaano ya kalakas ing establishment a ini. Despite so many letters na pepadala ning munisipyu, cease and desist orders. We ask them to stop pero ala, ignore da mu. Siguru atin la padrinu kasi who cares about the local government nung atin higher kekami (It is surprising how hard-headed this establishment is. Despite the so many cease and desist orders sent by the Municipal Government. We ask them to stop but they are only ignoring them. Maybe, they have someone backing them because who cares about the local government if you a higher authority backing you up,” Wong said.
A security officer manning the area during the inspection, who introduced herself as Jenifer Montoya, said the property is only a warehouse for old delivery trucks of the company.
Asked why the officials were not allowed to go in, Montoya said there is really nothing to see inside as it is not operational.
“Wala naman kasing titignan sa loob kasi wala naman operation. Parang tambakan lang iyan ng mga lumang truck, diyan dinadala (There is nothing to see inside because there is no operation. It just serves as warehouse of old trucks, they just bring them here),” Montoya said.
He also said that they will respect the decision of the local government and will relay the information to their management.
Meanwhile, Wong assured that the police force will continue to monitor the establishment.
The town’s garbage collector truck was also barricaded in front of the company's entrance to ensure that no person or facility can enter until the management communicate with the local government.
As early as July 2017, Wong already told SunStar Pampanga that she already stopped the construction of the refilling station, citing the danger and risk it may pose to the residents around the vicinity.
She then noted that the local government unit never issued a building permit to the said company.
She said the firm continued constructing a structure without the consent of the local officials.
"Unlike air and water pollution attributed to several smelting plants and other manufacturing plants in the town, Regasco poses a bigger threat to the people of San Simon once it starts its operation,” Wong said.
“If you look at it, pollution cannot kill you on the spot. Pero ang sunog, papatayin ka niyan on the spot. Yes, pollution is bad for the health but you don’t die suddenly. Pero ang Regasco, high risk on fire,” she added.