Tech conference with box maker set

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) -7 will be conducting a Technical Conference with the management of the manufacturing plant that was caught on

video discharging red-colored wastewater directly to the sea and went viral on social media recently.

The GBox Corrugated Packaging was already directed to immediately stop discharge of hazardous waste-contaminated wastewater and was issued an interim

Cease and Desist Order (CDO) after being verified to pose immediate threat to life, public health, safety or welfare, or to animal or plant life.

Initial water sampling result also showed that the wastewater pumped out to the sea did not meet the effluent standards as stipulated in the DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2016-08.

The firm is an establishment that manufactured corrugated pads, wooden pallets and material handling equipment such as hand pallet truck and rental of electric kettle.

Based on EMB-7 records, the establishment was operating without valid Discharge Permit, Permit to Operate, and Hazardous Waste Generator Registration.

Thus, it has violated environmental laws such as the Philippine Clean Air Act, The Philippine Clean Water Act, and Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear

Wastes Control Act of 1990.

A Technical Conference will be conducted with EMB-7 and the management of GBox Corrugated Packaging on January 25, 2019.

EMB-7 Regional Director William P. Cuñado also expressed his appreciation to the netizens who have been very helpful in suppressing these violators that cause harm to the environment through the use of social media.

“This is a good example of responsible usage of social media and technology,” said Cuñado.

With the recent viral posts of wastes being disposed to the environment, Cuñado added that may these serve as a warning to the establishments to always follow the DENR standards.

He also assured the public that violators will be imposed with appropriate legal actions. (PR)