Mr Angelo Palmones of Agham has disclosed that he was set to ask the Supreme Court to issue a temporary environmental protection order to stop the stockpiling of coal along Manila Bay by private commercial port operators.
Mr Palmones who represents the scientific community in the House of Representatives said that he wanted the coal operation stopped immediately to prevent the further degradation of Manila Bay. The massive coal stockpiling along Manila Bay, poses great risks to human health and the environment, aside from the fact that it runs contrary to a writ of continuing mandamus issued by the SC that orders concerned government agencies, particularly the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to clean up and rehabilitate Manila Bay.
Mr Palmones said that charges are set to be filed by his office against concerned government officials before the Office of the Ombudsman for failing to put a stop to coal pollution along Manila Bay which overflowed over Roxas Boulevard at the height of Typhoon Gener.
One of the barges used to transport coal to Manila Harbour Centre within which Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc is operating, was swept away by the strong wind and the tide, hitting a coastal community nearby. Both MHC and HCPT are owned by businessman Reghis Romero. Palmones said former DENR-Environmental Management Bureau Director for Metro Manila Roberto Sheen, along with Enforcement Division chief Mr Carlo Religioso of the Laguna Lake Development Authority would be among the respondents in a case to be filed by his office also this week.
According to the lawmaker, the barge incident will be looked into when the House of Representatives begin its congressional inquiry into the stockpiling of coal along Manila Bay that continues even without necessary clearances and permit for wastewater discharge from the LLDA. The LLDA was directed by Environment Secretary Mr Ramon JP Paje last month to take action and issue a cease-and-desist order to stop the coal operation of HCPTI. But the agency merely issued an ex parte order and Mr Palmones noted it was now inclined to let the culprits off the hook for past violations of various environmental laws, particularly the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Fisheries Code of the Philippines.
The LLDA has not issued any clearance for the coal operation of private commercial ports along Manila Bay. Because Romero’s company was operating without clearance, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim had ordered the cancellation of business permits relevant to the coal operation of HCPTI on July 18th 2012.
Mr Palmones was dismayed by the failure of the EMB, the LLDA and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to issue a cease-and-desist order on the coal operation of HCPTI. The lawmaker was particularly miffed at the way the DENR-EMB, LLDA and PPA are washing their hands of the case and blaming each other on the issue.
Mr Religioso said that upon inspection by an agency team ordered to monitor the level of compliance of private port operators with the ex parte order issued by agency to HCPTI and six others, Romero’s company reportedly completed the transfer of the coal stockpile to a more confined location away from staging areas.
Mr Religioso, the chief of staff of LLDA General Manager Nerius Acosta, an adviser of President Aquino on environmental protection revealed that along with North Harbor, HCPTI has filed an application for LLDA clearance which could be considered partial dismissal of the case filed against any company facing such case.
He said that “As of Wednesday, the MHC has been cleared of coal. The coal has been transferred to a proper storage facility at least 100 meters from staging areas. Our inspection team also confirmed that construction is ongoing in compliance with our directive to construct a storage facility with bund wall and roof to prevent water runoffs during heavy rain. The LLDA welcomes any inquiry concerning coal pollution along Manila Bay.”
Mr Religioso said that since the stockpiling of coal was first exposed by Mr Palmones last month the LLDA acted accordingly and, in fact, conducted inspections to verify the reported violation of environmental laws. An ex parte order was also issued and that concerned companies have started to comply. Our mandate is on wastewater discharge and water pollution. As far as HPCTI is concerned, the case is for operating without LLDA clearance and permit for wastewater discharge. Runoffs as a result of heavy rain or flood are not wastewater.”
Source - Business Mirror.com
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