San Fernando folk want new cement plant closed

CEBU, Philippines - Residents of Barangay South Poblacion, San Fernando yesterday held a protest rally to ask for the closure of a cement factory that they claimed to be causing health problems and noise pollution.

Around 150 residents picketed the plant of Mabuhay Filcement Inc. (MFI) and called for its immediate closure.

The company vehemently denied the allegations and urged the residents of San Fernando to visit the plant.

“Our doors are open to all every single day. We have not violated any regulation. We aim to be environment-friendly.  You can see and verify it yourself, ” said Enrison Benedicto, chief executive officer of MFI.

In a press conference and plant tour with the local media, Benedicto said that they couldn’t cause any health problems to the residents since the cement factory is not yet fully operational.

He pointed out that to date; the company is still at the pre-commissioning project stage or trial run wherein they are still testing their equipment for modification, adjustment and re-engineering.

He added that the company had invested much on advanced and modern technology to ensure safety and security, citing that the plant has two oversized electrostatic precipitators as pollution-control devices that can accumulate ionic dust particles and also has sound insulators to prevent noise.

Ritchie Paul Manugas, a resident of South Poblacion, said that they are mostly concerned of the noise and air pollution caused by the cement factory.

He cited that 60 to100 people, mostly children, have caught respiratory and skin diseases such as cough and rashes.

Emilio Alfeche, a resident for 42 years, appealed to the government to conduct an on-the-spot investigation or surprise visit to the plant site.

Unlike MFI, he said that other cement factories control their operations which results to minimal damage and impact to the residents.

He added that food contamination could also occur since the MFI plant is 400 meters away from the town’s public market.

Leaders behind the rally whom we also invited for a visit never showed up until this day, Benedicto said.

He said that the company is confident to defend what is truly right and is still welcome to accommodate the opposing side for a plant tour.

On the contrary, he added that there have been no records of sickness among the company’s employees who stay in the cement factory for almost 8 hours every day.  —FPL (FREEMAN)