By Media Mindanao News Service
News Digest Volume 1, August 1987-July 1988
Posted by Davao Today
ILIGAN CITY (MMNS/October 15, 1987) – Around 500 placard-bearing residents here and from nearby Marawi City (40 kilometers South) and surrounding municipalities expressed their objection over the construction of an American-owned “incineration plant with cogeneration” in this southern industrial city in a City Council public hearing conducted Thursday afternoon.
The planned construction has triggered a public outrage following the local government’s approval of the project “without appropriate public hearings conducted.”
Various leaders of professional and civic organizations took turns in pointing out the disadvantages and dangers which they claimed far outweigh the benefits alleged by the proponent – the LPT Development Inc. based in the American Samoa. None in favor of the project presented views.
No representative from the proposing firm around even though members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod claimed having informed them through telegram. Rey Pahati, LPT board chairman, last July showed up for the supposed public hearing called by the same council.
Prof. Lolita Ungui, a masteral degree holder in environmental engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology now connected with the MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology here, rebutted point by point the benefits claimed by LPT Development.
She said that the alleged 2,000 to 3,000 jobs to be generated is “highly questionable” as “existing commercial incinerators in developed countries employ less than 30 people only” adding that the claimed figure “might only be for the construction of the plant.”
Prof. Ungui also refuted the proponent’s statement that the process of incineration will produce “cheap electricity” arguing that all power plant engineering books report that hydroelectric power is the cheapest method of generating electricity.” Four National Power Corporation hydroelectric power plants are situated in the Lanao provinces while three are still under construction.
On the supposed foreign exchange earnings, Ungui, quoting economists, stressed that “the ‘no value wastes’ imported raw materials could categorically ask for the lowest tariff (in pesos) or no tariff at all” and since the “proposed project would not be exporting anything, one cannot see how (it) can possibly increases… dollar reserves outside of the (monthly) $2,000,000 financial assistance.” She said that the claimed assistance should be appropriately called “rental.”
Dean Gervasio Riconalla of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the Mindanao State University in Marawi City cautioned the public that the “excessive insurance coverage against leakage, spillage, and other accidents hints dire implications.”
Dr. Zenaida Ochotorena, a chemist trained in the Michigan State University, clarified that the word “incineration” is defined as “burning at a certain high temperature but does not necessarily result in detoxification.” Iligan City vice Mayor Romeo Maata quoted the proponent’s firm offer which defined incineration as the “detoxification by burning of otherwise toxic wastes.”
“Incineration as it is, is good because it is volume reduction. I see no serious problem in incinerating municipal garbage but burning imported waste materials which most likely will include toxic and hazardous wastes is another matter. “Ochotoreno cautioned the public.
Another participant pointed out that the proposal submitted by LPT Development Inc. did not include the design of the project but instead a photocopy of small incineration plant in Singapore.
A representative from the National Pollution Central Commission based in Cagayan de Oro City, Engr. Senon Galicia, clarified that “the proponent has not submitted its proposal” to said agency “otherwise we would have required them to conduct an environmental impact assessment.” The present controversy would not have arisen had the normal procedure been followed.”
A participant also inquired why the proposal did not pass through the Department of Trade and Industry when it includes foreign investment. Local government officials, however, replied that “our action was based only on a recommendation from the undersecretary of the local government department.
Other groups that presented position papers were the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers, Kapisanan ng Kemiko ng Pilipinas, Southern Philippines Physicists Association, and such cause-oriented groups as Gabriela, Kalayaan, and Kilusang Mayo Uno. (Media Mindanao News Service News Digest Volume 1, August 1987-July 1988 Posted by Davao Today)
