The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has shut down in Norzagaray, Bulacan an aluminum chips recycling plant that allegedly uses hazardous chemicals in its operations.
In a statement, the NBI said “the plant uses hazardous chemical Sodium Silicoflouride -- a toxic chemical compound used for fluoridation, insecticide and rodenticide -- which is hazardous to the health of the people living near the area.”
It also said “the recycling plant has no proper sewerage system for the proper disposal of their toxic waste product.”
NBI Officer-in-Charge Director Eric B. Distor said that agents of the NBI’s Bulacan District Office (NBI-BULDO) swooped down at the makeshift plant in Barangay Tigbe last June 16.
Distor said that arrested during the operation were plant owner Analiza Omblero and workers Laberto Dela Cruz and Ariel Helvero.
He said that two minors working at the plant were also found by NBI agents and were turned over to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development of Bulacan in Malolos City.
Omblero, Dela Cruz, and Halvero were presented for inquest before the Bulacan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for violating the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act; Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nucelar Wastes Control Act of 1990; Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999; Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2002; and Presidential Decree 1586 on Environmental Impact Statement System.
In a statement, the NBI said: “The operation resulted in the seizure of 100 pieces of ingot (aluminum blocks); several drums used for oils; sacks of toxic chemicals known as Sodium Silicoflouride; undetermined number of Berota (Aluminum waste) sacks; makeshift cauldron used as burner incinerator; tons of DROSS (non-liquefied aluminum waste) and a long wing-van truck.”
It said the operation was conducted based on intelligence report on the existence of the plant which has been “engaged in the recycling of aluminum wastes without the necessary environmental compliance certificate from the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) and has no valid permit to operate from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and from Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO).”