AC Energy Philippines submitted last Friday, July 11, its environmental management plan (EMP) to the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to highlight the company’s plan in addressing the environmental impact of the oil spill that occurred on July 3, 2020.
The EMP is focusing on the details of the company’s plan and the relevant timeline for the implementation of such plans in relation to the following key areas which the DENR-EMB stressed and highlighted during the technical conference last July 8, 2020:
(1) completion of oil spill cleanup and ensuring that water quality is restored to safe levels;
(2) continued monitoring of air quality and ensuring that air quality is safe before affected families are allowed to return to their homes;
(3) proper collection and disposal of oil contaminated materials and wastes; and
(4) rehabilitation plan for the affected mangrove areas and fisheries.
Even with the submission of the EMP to the DENR-EMB, AC Energy Philippines commits to work closely and coordinate with the DENR together with the various government bodies and agencies. This includes the local governments of Iloilo City and Guimaras, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in implementing the EMP accordingly and to take into account comments and other recommendations from these government units and agencies.
AC Energy Philippines has not received a copy of the criminal complaint filed by the PCG and cannot make any specific comment at this time. The complaint is about the alleged violation of Section 107 of Republic Act 8550 (The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998) as amended by RA 10654 for aquatic pollution.
Even with the filing of this case, however, AC Energy Philippines and management undertakes and commits to continue cooperating in good faith with the PCG and the other government units and agencies to ensure that the oil spill clean-up is done properly and completed soon, and that the needs of the affected communities and groups are provided for.
In the efforts of submitting its EMP together with the various clean-up activities that were organized in coordination with industry and local government partners and the community assistance provided since the incident of oil spill, AC Energy Philippines hopes to have proven its serious commitment to do what is right for the affected communities and the environment, including to address the finding of aquatic pollution by the PCG.
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