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Friday, November 19, 2004
Alcohol plant operation suspended for 2 weeks
MANAOAG -- The suspension of the operation of Alko Distillers Inc., an alcohol manufacturing plant in Barangay Baritao, has been made final in a special session called by the Provincial Board (PB).
During the session, the manager of Alko and the complainants, who had been protesting against the noxious odor being emitted by the plant, were present.
The Alko management itself sought the suspension its operation for two weeks and it would end by December 4.
Councilor Jeremy Agerico Rosario said the management should not attempt to operate its plant or that would be in violation of the agreement they had and the PB would already have the right to close the plant with finality.
"Hopefully, they will not do it," he said.
The management said they would be installing some anti-pollution devices to prevent the emission of foul odor that had been triggering asthma attack of residents and the emergence of respiratory ailments.
"After two weeks, whatever will be the result, the people will be the ones who will decide on the fate of Alko here in Manaoag," Rosario said.
The PB last week approved a resolution recommending the temporary closure of the Alko Distillers' plant until the owner and operator shall have improve the plant's waste management system to eradicate pollution emanating from the establishment.
The resolution had been passed despite the recommendation of two board committees for the passage of a resolution requesting Mayor Napoleon Sales to issue a cease and desist order for the operation of the alcohol plant.
The committees on health and sanitation chaired by Councilor Raymund Thaddeus B. Veloria and on land use chaired by Rosario noted that the pollution emanating from the plant was "hazardous, resulting in damage to the environment, human health and quality of life."
Rosario's committee said the air pollutants returned to the ground as acid rain, corroding metals, like the roofing of houses and buildings.
The councilor-physician said that the on-the-spot inspection conducted by the PB members revealed that the noxious air pollutants being emitted by the plant was dismal and serious.
This was confirmed by numerous complaints from barangays Baritao, Mermer, San Ramon and Pantal, two religious groups and personnel of the nearby community hospital, because the pollution had caused breathing problems and respiratory illness to the people.
The committee on environment and natural resources chaired by Councilor Wilfredo Sibayan recommended, on the other hand, the temporary closure of the plant until such time that the firm's new anti-pollution equipment shall have been installed.
In his committee report, Sibayan said the petitioners complained about the diseases contracted by residents but no proofs had been presented to back up the allegation.
But during the special session, some residents presented medical examination results that they are suffering from respiratory ailments.
"No one from the complainants suggested the immediate closure of Alko but they only like to remedy or minimize the odor emitted by the plant," the councilor said.
(November 19, 2004 issue)
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