Valenzuela to inspect fuel plant for air pollution

The Valenzuela City government is set to conduct an ocular inspection of a rubber oil recovery plant, which residents accused of causing respiratory problems, particularly among children. 

“We will schedule an inspection of the plant by next week,” Valenzuela City legal officer Pedro Cortez told The STAR.

Cortez said he will coordinate with City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) chief engineer Romel Pondevida, who earlier said he will look into the issue even if his office has yet to receive a formal complaint.

Residents of Bartolome and Villa Encarnacion subdivisions in Barangay Veinte Reales complained that a factory, ordered closed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) late last year for alleged environmental violation, reopened last month.

“The black smoke emitted by the plant was lessened but the bitter smell is still there,” a source said. “Many are complaining of difficulty in breathing with some children vomiting when they inhale the unpleasant smell. They also complained of black dust coming from the plant.”

Clare Adreincem, secretary to Veinte Reales barangay chairman Ramil Casimiro, said the plant acquired a clearance from the DENR to resume operations after it installed equipment to comply with the DENR requirements.

“Maybe their efforts weren’t enough (because) the bad smell is still there,” Adreincem said.

Sources said the plant, managed by a foreigner, is engaged in processing old tires into bunker fuel.