2 smelting plants face probe for polluting air

SAN SIMON -- Two large smelting plants are now facing investigation by the local environment office for violating environmental laws, an official said.

Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (Menro) officer Melchor Tayag said Wan Chiong Steel Corporation and Melters Steel Corporation located along the Quezon road portion in Barangay San Isidro of this town, have violated the Clean Air Act of 1999.

He said based on the information he gathered, the two steel companies have already received a notice of violation from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as early as 2014 for polluting the air.

“Yan din ang tanong namin, bakit sila nag-ooperate kung may notice of violation sila at wala silang permit to operate from DENR (That's also our question. Why are they operating if they have a notice of violation and have no permit to operate from DENR)?” he said.

Tayag, who is leading the monitoring and inspection of air pollution allegedly caused by the two smelting plants, said Melters Steel Corporation was emitting dark smoke at around 5 a.m. of April 29, May 2, 3. Another inspection held on April 30 also showed similar result.

Tayag said the management of the smelting plants is now ordered to coordinate with the local government to discuss measures on how to address the concern.

He stressed that the local government wants to continue accommodating businesses in their town but not at the risk of the well-being of its people.

If they will not comply, Tayag said the local government will be forced to order the management to shut down their operation.

“Gusto namin ng negosyo dito dahil may ibinibigay silang income at employment pero kung ang kalusugan ng tao ang nakasasalalay, hindi naman papayag ang mayora (Leonora Wong) namin (We want businesses here because they are giving income and employment but if the people's health is at risk, our mayor won't approve it),” he said.