The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) and activist group SEEDS PH are taking the recently shuttered smelters in San Simon, Pampanga to court for alleged violation of environmental laws.
The federation and activist group said civil and criminal charges are being brought to bear against Chilwee Metallic Manufacturing Corp., Energetically Battery Manufacturing and Ecoseal Metallic Manufacturing Corp. which are all locators at the Global Aseana Business Park in Barangay Dela Paz, Pampanga. The smelters were shut down following tests showing the river adjacent their facilities are now contaminated with lead and other heavy metals and chemicals.
“Simply put, the river upstream was basically free of traces of harmful chemicals and heavy metals. A few meters away from Global Aseana’s discharge point, however, almost 70 percent of the 23 parameters we measured already showed contamination,” said Dhel Pulanco, SEEDS PH executive director.
The findings relate to a significant presence of cadmium and nickel in river water that causes cancer and liver failure in levels rated as alarming.
Pulanco said the municipality of San Simon has issued cease and desist orders against the companies and padlocked their gates to prevent continued operations as lead smelters and recyclers of used lead acid batteries for their failure to observe the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Act.
Water tests by an accredited laboratory in February in the area showed clear signs of water pollution that could trigger fish kills likely caused by the dumping of electrolytes from used lead acid batteries containing sulphuric acid and other toxic chemicals.
Jesus Arranza, FPI chairman, similarly called on the local governments of San Simon and Pampanga to file charges against the illegal smelters and withdraw their permits having already been proven as violators of environmental laws and disregard for the welfare of the environment and the communities.
Arranza said smelters committed to install the facilities required by environmental laws but did not bother to comply for more than one year.
“What is alarming is that these companies continue to buy used lead acid batteries and even removed the padlocks on their gates, which could be a sign that they are planning to operate anew,” Arranza said.
Arranza and the activist group said warned that under the law, anyone who discharges untreated wastewater into any water body is fined up to P200,000 daily until the violation is addressed.
Gross violators are fined up to P3 million for each day of violation separate from the filing of criminal charges, Arranza said.
