By EUGENE ADIONG
BACOLOD City — The Diocese of San Carlos called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned bodies to strictly monitor the barging of wastewater from San Carlos Bioenergy, Inc.
“We are not opposing the barging of wastewater as long as it strictly complies with international protocols,” said Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza.
“It is morally permissible,” the bishop said, but problems may surface if not properly monitored.
Alminaza said they want the DENR and other concerned agencies to enforce the required conditions.
“The integrity and credibility of the process from beginning to end should be closely monitored,” he stressed.
Alminaza attended the meeting of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of San Carlos City on Wednesday.
The DENR regional office has already approved the proposed barging of wastewater, but Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. was still opposing it.
Alminaza said it would be easy for government agencies to say that San Carlos Bioenergy, Inc. complied with the regulations, but “how sure are we?”
The bishop called on the public, especially the villagers living near the plant, to “get involved to ensure that there is no spilling (of wastewater), and to report (to the authorities) immediately if there is any problem.”
Alminaza said there is a member-volunteer of the Multi-Sectoral Monitoring Team that will ensure that the regulations are fully complied with./PN
