THE private landfill operated by the Asian Energy Systems Corp. (AESC) is once again open after the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 lifted the cease and desist order against the facility on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019.
This, after AESC corrected its lapses and violations that endangered people’s lives and public health.
The EMB 7 issued the CDO last May 7 after it found the firm violating Presidential Decree 1586, or the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System, and Republic Act 9275, or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.
Based on the investigation conducted by EMB 7 personnel last April 23 and May 5, AESC did not implement its Environmental Management Plan, which led to a landslide in the landfill on May 4 that killed one person.
The landfill’s operation was halted last May 9, while the EMB 7 and the firm conducted a technical conference.
According to EMB 7’s press release: “All commitments have been religiously complied by AESC after reevaluation by EMB. The respondent has submitted to EMB 7 the work program for the approved Waste to Energy (WTE)-Methane Gas Capture Systems using SERRS (surface enhanced resonance Raman scatering) technology of Thailand in collaboration with Alterna Verde Corp. Philippines.”
The press release also said Phase 1 of the landfill’s WTE project will be completed on Dec. 15, 2020.
“With the great challenges that all of us are facing in terms of solid waste management in the region, EMB 7 assures the public that we will continue to monitor compliance of the operations of our waste management facilities,” said EMB 7 Director William Cuñado. (from HBL of Superbalita/PJB)