[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’DENR won’t disclose Semirara report. Why?’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
ILOILO City – The result of the “surprise” inspection on Semirara’s coal mine in Caluya, Antique won’t be made public, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6.
Director Jim Sampulna did not say why but he revealed they were under strict instructions from DENR’s central office to submit the findings directly to Secretary Gina Lopez.
Last week, Lopez closed 23 mining firms all over the country. She said these firms caused siltation of coastal waters and destruction of watersheds, among other violations.
The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines criticized the closures, claiming the orders were announced in a press conference before any of miners actually received them. It urged DENR to make public the orders and the specific details that led to these.
As of this writing, the joint team of DENR-6’s Environmental Management Bureau and Mines and Geosciences Bureau was still finalizing its inspection report on Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) based in Semirara Island.
SMPC’s Semirara operation is the biggest coal mine and open-pit mine in the country.
August last year, Lopez ordered a review of SMPC’s Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
An ECC is a document issued by the DENR secretary or the regional executive director certifying that a proposed project or undertaking will not cause a significant negative impact on the environment.
The proponent must have complied with all the requirements of an Environmental Impact System, and is committed to implement its approved Environmental Management Plan in the Environmental Impact Statement or mitigation measures in an Initial Environmental Examination.
SMPC, the largest coal producer in the Philippines, was issued an ECC on April 29, 2016 for its coal expansion project.
Sampulna said the team checked the water quality and ambient air in Semirara Island after some residents complained of scabies and heart problems.
The team also checked if SMPC had livelihood programs for the islanders, the alleged dumping of waste material into the sea, and other possible violations of SMPC’s ECC.
Last year, Lopez ordered SMPC to explain why its ECC should not be cancelled.
Sampulna clarified yesterday that it was not DENR that issued a permit for SMPC’s operation but the Department of Energy.
“Ang amin lang is to check if there are violations of the ECC,” said Sampulna.
DENR’s inspection of Semirara started on Feb. 9. The team returned to Iloilo City only yesterday.
Vince Malik, administrative manager of SMPC, welcomed the inspection but stressed they were actually being audited quarterly by a multipartite monitoring team.
SMPC was evaluated just two months ago, December 2016, he revealed, and they were found to be compliant with all DENR requirements.
Malik expressed confidence that their operation won’t be suspended. He denied they were dumping toxic wastes into to the sea or conducting unauthorized land reclamation./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
