SAN SIMON -- The management of Melters Steel Corporation recently vowed to implement measures aimed at minimizing smoke emitted during their operation.
This was after the Melters Steel Corporation, together with adjacent Wan Chiong Steel Corporation, received a letter from this town’s Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office regarding their alleged violation of the Clean Air Act of 1999.
Municipal Environment head Melchor Tayag said that the two smelting plants, located along the Quezon Road portion of Barangay San Isidro here, are now under investigation and are being urged to coordinate with the local government to address the pollution concern.
In an exclusive interview with VoxPop Pampanga, Melters Steel Corporation plant coordinator Albert Salcedo said that the plant management is willing to discuss with the local government the possible measures that must be implemented to resolve the pressing matter.
Salcedo said that the management is also executing several measures to address the concern like installation of high-tech pollution devices.
“As of now, meron na po kaming apat na bag houses at dust collector imported abroad. Sa pamamagitan po ng mga ito, mababawasan ang usok na lumalabas mula sa aming mga chimneys,” he said.
He added that the management is also studying other possible means to effectively minimize and regulate the smoke emitted by their plant which is allegedly the basis of pollution claims.
“Ayaw namin na i-suppress ‘yung smoke sa labas tapos ‘yung mga employees naman namin sa loob ang magsa-suffer. Ang gusto ng boss namin, ‘yung effective na mag-circulate ng smoke without putting anyone at stake,” he said.
Salcedo also clarified the alleged illegal operations of Melters Steel Corporation after continuously doing business despite the lack of a permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as from the local government.
He clarified that the smelting plant management already applied for a permit to operate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and is optimistic that they will secure one after passing the ambient test.
Meanwhile, Salcedo stressed that Melters Steel Corporation has been conducting medical, dental and optical missions in the communities it is serving to check on the health condition of Simonians.
“Aside sa thought na makakatulong kami sa mga taga-San Simon, ‘yun din ang paraan namin para ma-check kung may masamang epekto ba ‘yung operation namin sa community. And so far, for how many years that we have been conducting such activities, wala pa naman kaming na-detect,” he said.
