The Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) has ordered Econest Waste Management Corporation (Econest WMC), the operator of the Hermosa Sanitary Landfill Facility in Bataan, to pay a penalty for violating its ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate) and to cause the immediate rehabilitation of the area.
In a 17-page EMB Resolution issued by OIC Director, Engr. William Cunado, Econest is ordered to pay the penalty amounting to P150,000 as assessed and computed by the EMB for violation of its ECC conditions.
Engr. Cunado also mentioned that EMB is requiring Econest to cause the immediate rehabilitation of the landfill and removal of hazardous wastes for proper treatment and disposal, and the proper handling and disposal of the electrical and electronics wiring rubber insulators found stockpiled in the project site.
On February 20 last year, Hermosa Mayor Jopet Inton personally served the cease-and-desist order from the local government ordering the temporary stoppage of operation of the Hermosa Sanitary Landfill Facility (Hermosa SLF) operated by Econest WMC.
Before its closure. Hermosa LGU and the EMB-DENR issued separate notices of violations to Econest WMC citing its operation “without a valid Discharge Permit and Hazardous Waste Generator Registration Certificate, some of its treatment units on their leachate treatment facilities have no protective lining which may cause groundwater contamination due to leachate seepage.”
The EMB’s Resolution dated January 04, 2021 stated: “Furthermore, considering the violations are on the ECC conditions and in line with the accountability clearly indicated in the Sworn Statement of the Owner/Authorized Representative executed by Atty. Beulah Coe C. Fiel, President of Econest, dated October 24, 2017, which states, ‘I, Beulah Coe C Fiel, proponent of the Sanitary Landfill Facility located in Brgy. Mambog, Hermosa, Bataan, takes full responsibility in complying with all conditions contained in this Environmental Compliance Commitment (Environmental Compliance Certificate or ECC).’”
The ECC issued by the EMB to Econest WMC was also suspended “without prejudice to the conduct of rehabilitation as previously stated.”