Clark locators alarmed over the possible closure of wastewater treatment plant

INVESTORS in Clark Freeport have expressed concerns about the possible closure of the Clark Water Corporation’s (CWC) wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).

This, after the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) warned the Clark Water Corporation (CWC) that its Temporary Discharge Permit (TDP) may not be renewed when it expires on October 30, 2021.

EMB-Central Luzon Director Wilson Trajeco stated in his letter to CWC dated October 25, 2021, that the firm's TDP will only be renewed if it continues to work on its present project site to meet effluents criteria.

The EMB furnished Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and Clark Investors and Locators Association (Cila) with its letter to the wastewater firm management.

EMB has threatened to issue a cease-and-desist order (CDO) to CWC for the second time in 2021.

If the TDP is not renewed by October 30, a CDO will be issued and CWC's Wastewater Treatment Plant will be closed.

With this, Clark locators will handle their own wastewater disposal.

The General Effluent Standards require each locator to dispose of their effluent to meet the guidelines, if not, each locator may face possible fines and penalties. Because no company in Clark is capable of managing its own wastewater, they will all be forced to close if the problem is not resolved by October 30.

CDC President Manuel Gaerlan said they will employ all available methods, including legal action and appeals to other government bodies linked to EMB to ensure that the locators will not encounter problems with wastewater disposal.

Cila President Jeannie Ng said the persistent threat of EMB in closing the WWTP is causing undue anxiety to business owners inside the Freeport.

“This is the second time this year that the EMB has threatened to issue a cease-and-desist order (CDO) to CWC. This constant threat does not help in boosting investor confidence and in maintaining a business-friendly regulatory environment in the zone. If CWC says they have passed the water sampling of discharged water done by EMB, why are they being threatened with another CDO and non-renewal of discharge permit? Shouldn’t the discharge permit be based on passing the discharge or effluent standards only and not on any building plan?” she added.

For his part, Cila Chairman Ireneo "Bong" Alvaro asked the EMB to address the matter quickly.

Alvaro thanked CDC for supporting the locators' demand for affordable and safe water.

“We are wondering why EMB is so concerned about CWC’s completion of the new WWTP when proof of compliance from CWC should be enough. Why is EMB so concerned about the building permit to be issued by CDC? This is already an encroachment of CDC function,” he said.

On October 28, CDC, Cila and CWC convened an emergency meeting to discuss the impending crisis and devise a strategy in dealing with various scenarios.

CWC assured Cila and CDC during the meeting that they would meet CDC's building permission standards and secure an extension of the TDP to avoid an emergency.

CWC General Manager Christina Cruz vowed to exhaust all measures to meet EMB's extension requirements.

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