By Lenie Lectura July 13, 2020
AC Energy Philippines has laid down
an action plan to address the recent oil spill in Iloilo City amid the criminal
complaints filed against the company by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The power firm also said it has yet
to receive a copy of the complaints of aquatic pollution against the company
and its executives. According to the PCG, evidence points that AC Energy and
its executives were negligent over the July 3 incident where around 48,000
liters of oil spilled into waters after AC Energy’s Power Barge 102 in Lapuz
district’s Barrio Obrero exploded.
The incident contaminated costal
areas of 23 communities in Iloilo City, Dumangas, and Guimaras, as well as a
1-hectare mangrove forest.
“With respect to news reports on the
filing by the PCG of a criminal complaint against the company and [some] of its
officers for alleged violation of Section 107 of Republic Act [RA] 8550 [The
Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998] as amended by RA 10654 for aquatic
pollution, the company has not received a copy of such complaint and is thus
unable to make any specific comment at this time.
Even with the filing of this case,
however, the company undertakes and commits to continue cooperating in good
faith with the PCG and the other government units and agencies to ensure that
the oil spill clean-up is done properly and completed soon, and that the needs
of the affected communities and groups are provided for,” said AC Energy.
The power firm has submitted its
environmental management plan (EMP) to the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau
(EMB), detailing plans to address the environmental impact of the oil spill.
Among others, AC Energy said it would carry out the completion of oil spill
cleanup and ensure that water quality is restored to safe levels; continue to
monitor of air quality and ensuring that air quality is safe before affected
families are allowed to return to their homes; properly collect and dispose of
oil contaminated materials and wastes; and implement a rehabilitation plan for
the affected mangrove areas and fisheries.
“Even with the submission of the EMP
to the DENR-EMB, the company will continue to work closely and coordinate with
the DENR, as well as with the various government bodies and agencies, including
the local governments of Iloilo City and Guimaras, and the PCG, to implement
the EMP and to take into account comments and other recommendations from these
government units and agencies,” it added.
AC Energy has tapped US-based AECOM
as third-party consultant to assist the company in the clean-up activities,
among others.
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