BATANGAS CITY – A petrochemical plant in this city would not expand its polymer plant and naphtha cracking plant in Barangay Simlong here sans the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Batangas public information office chief Jenelyn Aguilera disclosed on Monday that the DENR-Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) have been spearheading the public hearing on the project, which started last week attended by representatives from the city government, barangay officials, non-government organizations and concerned constituents.
Aguilera said some local village leaders and residents from Barangays Simlong, Pinamucan Ibaba and Pinamucan Proper also attended the public hearing where they expressed apprehensions and concerns on the petrochemical company’s project expansion.
The ECC is a document issued by DENR-EMB after their careful and positive review of any company’s application for environmentally critical projects and certifies that the proposed project or undertaking will not cause significant negative environmental impact based on the representations of the proponent including the affected residents.
Once it gets the nod from DENR-EMB on the required ECC, project proponent JG Summit Petrochemicals Group will expand its polymer plant and naphtha cracking plant starting 2019 until 2021.
JG Summit assured that the expansion projects are similar to their Ground Flare System and upgrading of the flaring facilities to address the problem and concerns by local folks here on the black smoke emission and the heat generated by the facilities.
Under the Local Government Code and as a State policy, national government agencies and offices are required to conduct periodic consultations with appropriate LGUs, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and people’s organization and other concerned sectors of the community before any project or program is implemented in their respective jurisdiction.
Likewise, LGUs are tasked to coordinate with government agencies and NGOs in the implementation of measures to prevent and control land, air, and water pollution with the assistance of the DENR.
For its part, the petrochemical firm assured local officials that around 3,000 to 5,000 people would benefit from various jobs for local residents and other workers from neighboring towns.
The company also disclosed its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and support for socio-community projects for the host LGU sites such as medical missions, medical equipment, tree planting, artificial reef project, feeding program, relief operations and donations of medical equipment and ambulance.
JG Summit Petrochemicals Group is a pioneer in the country’s petrochemical industry and its modern technology and innovations have built long-term business partnerships and responsible manufacturing of petrochemical products with its plant site in Barangay Simlong in this city.
The pioneering plant engineering works for its naphta cracker started in 2009 and its JG Summit Olefins Corporation (JGSOC) was registered with the Board of Investments (BOI) in 2010 as a producer of ethylene, propylene, pyrolysis gasoline, mixed C4 and other by-products. The plant’s commercial operations began in Nov. 2014. (PNA)
