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Wednesday, March 23, 2005
DENR hit for giving permits to Philex despite violations
By Jane Cadalig
MEMBERS of the Benguet Provincial Board (PB) have assailed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) for granting permits to a local mining firm despite alleged violations committed by the latter.
This developed as Engr. Alex Luis of the EMB said their office issued a permit for Philex Mining Corporation to operate its tailings dam even if there is a pending case against the company.
Luis told the PB that EMB itself filed an administrative case against Philex for failing to comply with some conditions set by the DENR.
He said the case, which is still pending with the Pollution Adjudication Board of the DENR central office, was filed because Philex did not immediately inform the EMB on the leakage of the pipes leading to its tailings dam 3. The seepage was discovered March last year.
A mining company is mandated to report to the EMB within 24 hours any failure with regard the operation of its tailings pond. This was one of the conditions embodied in the permit given to Philex.
A fine of P121,000 was also recommended to be paid by the company, Luis added.
He however said a discharge permit for the operation of the mentioned tailings dam was approved on Dec. 14, 2004. "But it was issued to Philex only on March 9 this year. The pending case delayed the issuance of the permit."
But Board Member Marciano Inso said it is ironic for EBM to be suing Philex for non-compliance on environmental laws and then issuing permits to the violator.
Board Member Juan Nazarro shared Inso's sentiments, saying it is not clear why permits are still given to Philex despite the violation it has committed.
Board Member Aloysius Kato, meanwhile, said investigations relative to Philex's environmental compliance would still push through, saying the Board is not satisfied with the explanations of the DENR.
"We had a heavy heart listening to their explanations. It was not clear why they had to issue discharge permits while there is a pending case. They (appeared) to be lawyering for the mining firm, but this is not the end of it, they will still be invited because we will continue our investigation," Kato said.
It may be recalled that investigation conducted by the committee on environment, chaired by Kato, late last month also revealed that the pipes leading to the company's tailings pond have leakages.
Luis however said these (leakages) were already patched up.
(March 23, 2005 issue)
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