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Thursday, November 11, 2004
Pharmaceutical firm probed on pollution woes
By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
CADIZ CITY -- The Municipality of Manapla and Cadiz City created a Tripartite Monitoring Team (TMT) to handle a comprehensive investigation on the alleged pollution discharge of a pharmaceutical firm in Crossing Manapla.
Subject to a probe is the International Pharmaceutical Incorporated, maker of the Casino Ethyl Alcohol and Omega Ointment, among others.
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said although the IPI plant is located at the old building of Victorias Milling Company (VMC), one of its tailing ponds is situated in Barangay Caduha-an, Cadiz.
Escalante told Sun.Star Bacolod that based on complaints they received, IPI discharges unneutralized chemical waste from their plant that passed through the Sicaba River and caused contamination up to Barangays Caduha-an, Burgos and Luna.
Pollution in these areas affected the fishing livelihood of Cadiznons.
Fishpond owners also complained of fish kill due to the pollutants from IPI. Composing the TMT are representatives from the Manapla and Cadiz governments, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and IPI officials.
Escalante said: "It's sad to note that IPI is situated in Manila and is paying taxes in Manapla but the damage caused by their pollutants is burdening the people."
Moreover, Escalante said the TMT is tasked to also look for permanent solutions to abate the effects of water pollution.
Escalante said he recommended the permanent pull-out of IPI from Crossing Manapla and pursue their earlier plan to transfer it to Hda. Caridad, BarangayLuna to effect a modernized waste disposal.
Luna, he explained, is far from the river and IPI could impose full modernization of a high-tech waste disposal.
IPI, however, still has an existing two-year lease contract with VMC on the use of the site, building and other facilities.
Escalante said he and Manapla Mayor Manolet Escalante III won't allow the closure of IPI as a number of residents from these two localities will lose jobs.
"What we want is for them and the DENR to impose corrective measures to avert any pollution discharge and if possible after the lease contract agreement expires, IPI would pursue transferring to a safer venue," said the Cadiz mayor.
Escalante said the final recommendation of the TMT would be known probably within the next few days.
(November 11, 2004 issue)
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