Pollution board’s inaction on SIAP complaint decried

CEBU CITY – The Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines (SIAP) has expressed concern over the inaction of the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) on its pollution complaint against US seaweed processor FMC Marine Colloids Phils. Inc.

Aside form SIAP, local residents led by Looc Barangay chairperson Editha F. Cabahug earlier this year asked the PAB, an agency under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), to issue a cease-and-desist order (CDO) against FMC.

SIAP said the PAB should already have a decision on the pollution charges filed against FMC since the hearings which started sometime last July, were already completed.

"The PAB has been silent on the matter and affected sectors here are worried the water quality of the Mactan Channel will further deteriorate and might be irreversible unless FMC is made accountable," said an official of the SIAP who requested anonymity.

SIAP accused FMC of violating environment laws with its continued dumping of excessive amounts of untreated wastewater into the Mactan Channel, the waterway along Cebu’s eastern coast. It has asked the PAB to suspend FMC operations while the company conducts cleanup operations.

The PAB was also asked to conduct a comprehensive marine survey to determine the extent of the environmental damage allegedly caused by FMC’s operations.

SIAP president Benson Dakay, whose company, Shemberg Marketing Corp., is a close rival of FMC, said that because FMC continues to operate without a permit, the pollution level at Mactan Channel is worsening.

"Based on earlier water samples taken at the Mactan Channel, there were many carcinogenic chemicals found which if left untreated will ultimately kill the livelihood of small fishermen and small seaweed farmers in the area," said Dakay.

Earlier, Cabahug also questioned the continued operation of FMC in her barangay. She said that FMC which was denied a barangay clearance managed somehow to secure a business permit with the city government.

A barangay clearance is a requirement for the issuance of a business permit.

FMC was denied permission to operate its wastewater treatment plant after initial investigation by Barangay Looc showed samples taken from the company’s water discharge did not conform to acceptable standards set by the DENR.

Barangay Looc rejected the application by FMC because it is still facing two cases of pollution complaints before the PAB.

FMC denied the allegations and has asked the PAB to dismiss the environmental complaint for lack of merit.

SIAP said FMC has also drilled two deep wells without having been issued a water permit by the Natural Water Resources Board.

"Aside from the fact that the construction without a permit to drill and operate sans a water permit is granted is illegal, the continued operation of the well without proper investigation and examination by the NWRB poses an imminent danger to the aquifier which is being harmed by uncontrolled extraction," said SIAP in a separate complaint to the NWRB.