Town locals hit oil refinery

January 7, 2011
STO. TOMAS — Residents from Barangay San Matias here are urging officials to close down an oil-recycling facility in Sitio Balangcas, alleging that it causes health problems.

Reymundo Tongol, a barangay resident, said the refinery of used engine oil produces heavy black smoke and a foul odor, resulting in respiratory problems for the locals in Balangcas and in neighboring communities such as Dalaquitan and El Gomez.

He said the odor is really bad as tons of rubber tires are being burned, which give off the foul smell and fumes that cause sickness in those living nearby.

Aside from their concern about respiratory problems, residents also expressed fear their exposure to toxic waste might lead to lung cancer.

“The refinery operates between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.,” one of the residents, who requested not to be named, stressed.

Residents are also complaining of asthma attacks, coughing, dizziness, headaches and shortness of breath.

Tongol said operations are suspended for a week whenever the government conducts an inspection, but are resumed afterward.

“Maglagay ka ng bukas na tangke ng LPG sa kwarto at isara mo ang pinto. Ganun kabaho (Place an open tank of liquefied petroleum gas in your room and close the door – that’s how bad the odor is),” one of the residents chimed in.

The oil refinery in question is reportedly owned by a certain Ken Lee, a Korean national doing business in the country.

It was also established that the land where the facility is located is allegedly owned by brothers Joey and Jun Canlas, one of whom is a former municipal councilor here.

As early as January 22 last year, at least 529 residents sent and signed a letter to Mayor Joselito Naguit requesting for the closure of the refinery.

However, the Municipal Government has remained silent after almost a year.

As this developed, Naguit told Sun.Star Pampanga in a telephone interview that a committee from the Municipal Council is set to meet at 9 a.m. Friday to tackle the issue.

Naguit said the refinery cannot just be closed on short notice. “Kailangan muna natin malaman kung talagang dun nga nangagaling yung inirereklamong masamang amoy (We have to determine first whether it really is the source of the odor the residents are complaining about).” (Herbert P. Mapiles)

Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on January 07, 2011.

Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/town-locals-hit-oil-refinery
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