Sunstar Iloilo
A MONITORING team asked the Panay Power Corporation (PPC) to give financial assistance to residents of Barangay La Paz in Ingore, Iloilo City, who were hospitalized due to foul odor emitted by its coal-fired power plant.
The multipartite monitoring team (MMT), which was tasked to investigate the complaints of village residents, said the PPC should submit a written report detailing the steps undertaken for the test fire of its first boiler unit and its relation to the alleged emission of foul odor in the surrounding barangays.
The affected residents were identified through a letter sent by Ingore barangay captain Ernie Poral, who suffered from an illness during the fire testing of the power plant last September 11-17.
The MMT said in a resolution that although the hospitalization of the victims is still subject for evaluation by the Department of Health, the financial assistance is part of PPC's moral obligation and core value to help the community.
The MMT executive committee shall approve and release the amount from the Environmental Guarantee Fund subject to the presentation of proper documents and verification.
MMT is a requirement under the Clean Air Act, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) is heading it.
Members of the MMT come from the DENR, city environment office, EMB, health department, academe, religious groups, non-government organizations, city planning office, PPC, City Council, as well as includes the barangay captain. (Lydia C. Pendon)
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