Sunday, July 08, 2007 Pollution board resolves more cases
THE Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has exceeded targets in the disposition of the pending cases involving pollution companies, the latest of which is the closure of four companies in the Visayas and Mindanao, including one in Davao.
In a report covering the period February 2006-May 2007, the PAB, chaired by DENR Secretary Angelo T. Reyes, had adjudicated a total of 248 pollution cases out of a total of 806 lodged since 1989 for violations of various provisions of PD 984, RA 8749 and RA 9275, the laws pertaining to air and water pollution.
As a result of the PAB action, a total of 27 cease and desist orders (CDOs) were issued during the period; 55 cases were either issued formal lifting orders (FLOs), dismissed or removed from the dockets of the PAB; and 164 others were issued temporary lifting orders (TLOs), imposed fines, required to submit additional requirement or investigated.
The report attributed the improved accomplishment of the Board to Reyes’ move to have regular PAB hearings to speed up deliberation and resolution of pending cases.
The report further showed that the PAB's collection of fines from firms violating the environmental laws reached PhP34.53 million during the same period.
In the latest cases decided last month, the PAB ordered four companies based in the Visayas and Mindanao to stop their operations for violation of environmental laws. The PAB had issued CDOs against the four companies for violating the effluent and emission standards prescribed in the Air and Water Pollution Acts or RA 8729 and RA 9275, respectively.
Issued the CDOs last May 8 were Neumarine Industrial Corporation Tambler in General Santos City, Mindanao Fibertech Board Corporation in Barangay Bunawan in Davao City, Vermedes Inc. of Barangay Biasong in Talisay City in Cebu, and Victorias Milling Co. Inc. of Victorias City in Negros Occidental. (Press release)
