THE Petron Corp.’s refinery complex in Limay, Bataan is no longer operating the controversial bottom ash disposal facility and has implemented measures to ensure the facility will no longer pose a threat to public health, according to the Environmental Management Bureau.
The EMB Central Luzon regional office said both the temporary ash disposal facilities of PLT Cove and San Miguel Corp. are now covered with soil, compacted and sprinkled with water to prevent ash dispersion and deposition to nearby communities.
The results of the EMB inspection was revealed during a recent meeting by the Multipartite Monitoring Team formed by the provincial government, held in Balanga City.
Petron said around 3,550 metric tons of ash have been hauled out and 7,950 MT have been treated while newly-generated ash are being washed to reduce its corrosiveness after which sampling of the washed bottom ash is undertaken.
Treated ash is transported to SMC subsidiary Northern Cement Consolidated in Pangasinan, where it will be used as material for cement manufacturing.
Petron also revealed its remediation and rehabilitation plans for the PLT Cove area, mitigation measures for odor nuisance and relocation of affected families.
The establishment of Environmental Guarantee Fund was also discussed during the meeting. The fund would be used for epidemiological study or health assessment that will be done in affected communities.
The cost of the study would be sourced from the EGF of Petron and San Miguel, pursuant to existing environmental impact assessment rules and regulations.
Aside from the EMB Central Luzon and company representatives, the meeting was attended by Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia, Rep. Enrique Garcia, a representative from the Department of Health-Region 3, and officers of the Limay Concerned Citizens Inc. or LiCCI.
The provincial government gave assurance that there would be available housing for 250 affected families within the next three to five months. Governor Garcia said informal settlers within the SMC’s buffer zone would be given priority.
The EMB Central Luzon, on the other hand, will continue to assess the environmental quality on affected communities in Limay.
According to EMB Acting Director Jacqueline Caancan, the result of the assessment will help determine effectiveness of anti-pollution interventions already done in the area and ensure compliance to environmental policies by those concerned.
Meanwhile, a series of tests have been done to ensure that the air and water in the area are safe.