2 firms penalized for violating pollution laws

Six companies, two of which are in Cebu, have been slapped with fines for violating water pollution laws, said Environment Secretary Lito Atienza recently in a press release posted at the website of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Atienza’s announcement, coinciding with the recent observance of World Water Day, stated that the two companies in Cebu that were penalized were Profood International Inc., in barangay Maguikay, Mandaue City and Rikio Southeast Asia Inc., in barangay Inayagan, Naga City.

Profood, a food manufacturing company, was fined for P810,000 for disposing its wastewater into Mantuyong Creek while Rikio, a shoe company, was fined for P1.03 million for disposing wastewater into Candao-an Creek.

Jimmy Eden, section manager of Profood, said the company had already paid the fine and that the problem had been addressed already. Profood now have the needed the clearances from DENR and that its wastewater has been disposed of in compliance with the laws.

On the part of Rikio, plant manager and pollution control officer Tessie Caputol told The Freeman that the company had moved for a reconsideration of the penalty and asked for a reduction in the amount of fine.

The company is still waiting for the results of its motion but it had assured the public that it has been submitting wastewater samples to the DENR that visits the area every month.

In Mindanao, the companies that were fined were Pacific Cement Philippines Inc., in Surigao City, for P160,000 and White House Oil Mill in Pagadian City, for P1.06 million.

Pacific Cement was fined for disposing wastewater into the Anahaw Creek leading to Surigao River, while White House Oil was fined for disposing its wastewater into the Tiguma Creek.

In Metro Manila, those slapped with fines were SM Megamall Buildings A & B located along EDSA in Mandaluyong City, with P 5.07 million and Euro Swiss Foods, a food firm in Makati City with P1.76 million fine. Both SM and Euro Swiss were found to dispose their wastewater into the Pasig River.

“We are serious and clear with our message that no single violator will be spared from DENR’s enforcement of the environment laws, especially on water pollution,” Atienza said.

He added that companies or any individual found doing something that causes the pollution and death of water bodies can be considered environmental criminals.

Atienza also urged the public to continue planting trees. He said that trees are important in cleaning the atmosphere, regulating the climate, and replenishing the water bodies. — Ferliza C. Contratista/RAE