SAN SIMON -- Mayor Leonora Wong of this town wants the immediate shut down of a smelting plant where the soil and ground in its vicinity is allegedly contaminated with lead.
On Wednesday after monitoring the plant, Wong told SunStar Pampanga that the local government will issue a cease and desist order if the firm -- Celica Lead Company -- will not stop operations.
“If found out that they are still operating, we will immediately issue a cease and desist order to the management and they will be obliged to communicate with the local government for proper imposition,” she said.
The mayor issued the statement following the release of international group Pure Earth’s study alleging that the soil and ground at the Celica Lead Company compound, a former battery company turned smelter, is highly contaminated with lead.
According to Wong, the local government here did not issue a mayor’s permit to the Celica Lead Company as the municipality is also observing the firm’s possible violation of the environmental code.
She stressed that any operation conducted by the smelting plant will be deemed illegal and punishable by law.
Wong added that the local government also asked the smelting plant management to explain their side on why they let such contamination spread in their vicinity.
“This concern must be addressed immediately not only by the local government but also the company concerned as it poses threat on the health of every Simonian,” she said.
According to the study conducted by the international pollution cleanup body Pure Earth, the workers and residents living in and around the walls of the smelting plant are at risk as the chemical found can enter bodies of people especially children, through dermal contact, ingestion and inhalation.
“The people living within the smelter walls are mostly at risk, but other readings nearby were also above safe levels and approximately 1,000 people are potentially at risk, including a health center and a school,” the study read.
Meanwhile, Wong welcomed the technical assistance offered by Pure Earth, saying all factories under her jurisdiction must be tested to ensure the safety of the whole community.
She stressed that she will immediately coordinate with the international group to express her affirmation on the group’s offer.