The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) on Monday urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to continue cleansing the country of environmentally destructive lead smelters following the closure of several firms in San Simon, Pampanga that operated without the necessary permit and license from national and local authorities.
Jesus Arranza, FPI chairman, said the San Simon case is a good example of how local and national government agencies can band together to stop unscrupulous businessmen from damaging the environment and the health of surrounding communities.
“May this be the start of a thorough cleansing of environmentally destructive lead smelters and used lead acid battery (ULAB) recyclers in other parts of the country,” Arranza said.
The FPI earlier this month said closure orders were issued against Chilwee Metallic Manufacturing Corp., Energetically Battery Manufacturing, Ecoseal Metallic Manufacturing Corp., Ecometallic Co., and 5th Resources on the strength of a mandate from the Office of the President, the DENR and the provincial government of Pampanga.
The FPI said the companies were found to have violated the Clean Air Act and the Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Act by operating as lead smelters and recyclers of ULAB inside the Global Aseana Business Park in San Simon, Pampanga.
Given this, Arranza called on other local government units to follow Pampanga’s lead in running after illegal ULAB recyclers.
Arranza said reports reaching the FPI cite several unregulated lead smelters and ULAB recyclers in areas like Valenzuela, Tondo in Manila, Tarlac, Cavite, Cebu and Davao, among others.
In briefing reporters in Quezon City on Monday, Arranza said the FPI hopes the government adopts a “permanent system” preventing the operation of illegal lead smelters and ULAB recyclers.
“We have existing laws that sees to it the recycling of used batteries is not harmful. If not observed, lead can poison waters and kill the operations of legitimate companies who are following the law. Illegal operators also avoid taxes and they pay their workers lower,” Arranza said.
