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Apalit folk hit ‘polluting’ plant

Apalit folk hit ‘polluting’ plant

APALIT — A number of locals from Barangays Paligue and Sampaloc here are complaining about the continued operations of a steel recycling plant, which they claim causes pollution.

The residents, mostly living in subdivisions, said they have reportedly been experiencing dizziness and headaches because of the smoke coming from the Strong Hold Steel Corporation (SHSC).

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Last Thursday, Mayor Jun Tetangco Jr., together with Vice Mayor Peter Nucom, Councilors Sanny Mendoza, Zaldy Guevarra, Keneth Nunag and officials of the municipal health office, Bureau of Fire and municipal engineering office, conducted a surprise inspection of the said steel plant.

Tetangco said the local government unit (LGU) has temporarily withheld the mayor’s permit of SHSC pending the submission of requirements, particularly the medical certificates of its workers, numbering some 250.

He said the inspection team noticed many of the workers lack the proper safety gear like hardhats, over-all clothing and dust masks.

He also said that according to their sanitary inspector, the workers have not yet submitted the results of their medical examination conducted six years ago to the Municipal Health Office (MHO).

Tetangco said although the town is inviting investors to locate here, the LGU cannot sacrifice the health and well-being of its constituents.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Nucom said the plant should provide additional safety measures like a dust collector on a 24-hour basis to ensure that tiny steel particles are not inhaled by the workers.

Nucom said that at present, the SHSC is operating on a “temporary permit.”

Councilor Mendoza, in an approved resolution during a recent council session, said an independent monitoring team is needed to monitor the SHSC. This, he said, will ensure a check-and-balance, as well as an independent and impartial monitoring of the plant.

Mendoza said the SHSC should also study the possibility of relocating to another area since the 10-hectare property where it is located is fast-becoming a commercial and residential area.

On the other hand, SHSC plant manager Johnson Sanhi told Sun.Star that they have the necessary permits from the DENR, stressing that the company has been complying with health and environmental requirements.

Sanhi, however, admitted that they have yet to submit the medical certificates of their workers to the MHO to date, promising that by the end of the month, they will be able to meet the requirements of the LGU.

He said SHSC is committed in assuring the safety of its workers, adding the oldest worker here, who operates a crane, is in good condition. (Chris Navarro)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/apalit-folk-hit-polluting-plant

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