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PAB shuts down quarrying company in Tuba, Benguet
Posted by Eggrigia Dionisio on Apr 06 2009 07:52:06 AM

- EMB Director Julian D. Amador

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza ordered a quarrying company in Tuba, Benguet to cease its operations due to violations of Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act and to spare from further deterioration the Bued River in Benguet. Bued River is classified as Class C which is used for the propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources.

Based on the findings of the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) which DENR Secretary Atienza chairs, the company, Mountain Rock Aggregates, did not comply with the standards set by the DENR on wastewater discharge.

Three consecutive samplings conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) revealed that the wastewater from the company’s silt ponds and wastewater treatment facility were way above the allowable guidelines value. Samples taken from its treatment facility and silt ponds 1 and 2 revealed total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations of 109 and 300 for the first and second sampling taken from one outfall, while for the last sampling conducted, concentrations were at 105 and 591 mg/L taken from two outfalls. The DENR standard for TSS for Class C waters is at 70 mg/L.

Regional Director Paquito Moreno of EMB-CAR reported that after serving the Cease and Desist Order to the company, the crushing plant voluntarily shut down and the concrete open channel which conveys the wastewater from the crushing plant to the silt pond was blocked. The outlet for the silt ponds were likewise sealed with sandbags.

Atienza said that no motion for Temporary Lifting Order will be considered by the PAB unless the company submits, among others, a comprehensive pollution control program, a surety bond, detailed description of the interim remedial measures to mitigate pollution, and the employment of a pollution control officer.