Govt urged to probe toxic fumes in Cavite

A LOCAL environmental health group in Cavite on Tuesday has called on government to conduct an impartial and all-inclusive investigation of the toxic incidents that so far have affected 58 residents, including children, in Barangay Maguyam in Silang, Cavite.

“Officials and residents of Barangay Maguyam for the last four years have been complaining against the repeated discharge of toxic fumes allegedly coming from the Cleanway Technology Corp. [CTC] plant,” said Ochie Tolentino, coordinator of the Cavite Green Coalition.

Mayor Clarito Poblete of Silang has ordered the hazardous and healthcare waste treatment facility “to immediately cease and desist” from operating its plant located at Meridian Industrial Park II.

But according to EcoWaste Coalition and Cavite Green, Poblete’s order against the company released on October 15 “has yet to be enforced.”

On October 14, some 31 residents of Barangay Maguyam, site of the CTC plant, were rushed to the nearby Pagamutang Bayan ng Carmona after falling ill purportedly because of noxious fumes discharged from the huge hazardous and healthcare waste treatment facility.

On October 24, some 27 residents were again brought to the same hospital for treatment after being exposed to toxic emissions that allegedly came from the 300 container drums of CTC.

Copies of the signed complaints obtained by the Cavite Green Coalition and the EcoWaste Coalition from Barangay Magu-yam officials and residents indicate that a total of 2,737 individuals have formally complained against the toxic stench allegedly coming from the CTC.

Out of these, 1,752 were community residents, 96 were students of the Newlife Christian School of Cavite and 889 were employees of Chain Glass Enterprises Inc., FTN Garments Corp., Lot’s A Pizza,Paramina Earth Technologies Inc., Power Coat Mfg. Co., Taifini Copper and Conductors Inc., Trendy Plastic Mfg. Inc., Yamashita Mold Philippines Corp. and Yushin Philippines.

The local government formed Task Force Cleanway to investigate the matter with members from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region IV-A, Laguna Lake Development Authority, Silang Municipal Health Office, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office.

“We urge the Task Force Clean-way to get to the bottom of the toxic mess. Please ensure an open, impartial, exhaustive and credible investigation that will fully address the various complaints and demands lodged by community leaders and residents as well as by employees of other firms operating in Ba-rangay Maguyam,” said Manny Calonzo, president of the Eco- Waste Coalition.

The CTC offers comprehensive and fully integrated hazardous and healthcare waste management solutions to industrial partners. –Ira Karen Apanay, Senior Reporter, Manila Times