MISAMIS Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano on Monday, November 19, said he is amenable to closing the recycling facility of Verde Soko Philippines Industrial Corp., if the Provincial Board recommends so.
"If the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) will recommend for its closure I will implement. Kung maka-comply na sila sa mga permits, pwede na sila mag-reopen," Emano said.
Emano said the firm which was responsible for the close to 6,500 tons of garbage shipment from South Korea has already violated government laws and regulations.
Officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Verde Soko had not yet granted importation clearance while the Bureau of Customs (BOC) confirmed that the shipment was misdeclared as "Plastic Synthetic Flakes," but trash like wood, metal, and other waste materials were seen during the actual physical check.
Emano also said the capitol may also initiate the filing of appropriate charges against the firm and other government entities responsible for the entry of the waste materials from other country.
"Of course we will find ways nga maka-file of kaso kalabot anang ilang dili insakto nga pag-declare sa kargamento ug paghugaw sa kinaiyahan," Emano said.
The governor said he will yield to the probe conducted by the Provincial Board and other investigating bodies so all entities involved will be held liable.
Emano also raised suspicions that there might be irregularities in the transactions which resulted to the entry of the shipment to Villanueva town port and eventually transferred to the firm's facility in Sta. Cruz, Tagoloan.
"If I will go with the line of the President ngano iyang gibutang sa supervision sa usa ka membro sa Philippine Army ang BOC kay siya mismo nagtuo nga dunay binuang sa customs," Emano said.
Emano, however, said the issue is an isolated case and has not yet affected the capitol's tourism program.
"Dili pa damaging sa atong programa sa turismo pero kung madunggan sa uban dili maayo nga murag gilabayan kita og basura ug murag nahimo kitang garbage disposal province," he added.