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Closure of alcohol plant sought after resumption

MANAOAG, Pangasinan (Dec. 15) — An alcohol plant here resumed operations after a two-week suspension by the local government. The suspension however, did not include getting rid of the foul odor emitted by the plant which causes common respiratory ailments, according to the petitioners.

Alko Distillers Inc., which started operation in 1999 has earned three petitions for closure from affected nearby villages of Brgy. Baritao, Mermer, Pantal and San Ramon. The third petition, filed in September, has prompted local officials to respond when it found out that the air emitted coming from the plant was “hazardous, damaging to the environment, human health and quality of life”.

The stench has plagued nearby villages for some 8 decades already.

Unwanted smell

The plant which was a former sugar plantation known to the residents as Hind Sugar Corp., produces sugar, ethyl alcohol as by-products. In 1999, Alko Distillers took over the plant and concentrated on producing ethyl alcohol. Thus began the “infuriating smell” experienced by the residents which they believe to be the cause of ailments such as asthma, nausea, headache, sinusitis and cough.

Virgie Alejo, 48, relates that these ailments afflicted younger people more.

“People are intoxicated because the wastes run through the river, farmlands aside from foul odor emitting from an open pit,” she added.

Arsenio Angelito, 64, suspects the stinking smell must be the culprit to the corroding roof houses which are now close to tearing. The local government committee on Land Use said acid rain is carried by the emitted gas causing roofs to rust.

Angelito was once a wage officer to hacienda workers at the plant which he recounts used to be a sugarcane plantation. He recalls that the plantation gave off “sour, vinegar-like odor but not intoxicating like the type coming from the alcohol plant”.

Maribel Balagbag, 40, said her family suffered asthma attacks due to the smell. Balagbag said the odor stinks even more during nighttime causing discomfort during sleep.

In Brgy. Pantal, Elvie Guilera, 29, chose to transfer her three children to Cavite to protect them from the diseases.

Meanwhile, vegetable cultivation has not been spared. Joel Waing, 52, a long-time farmer in the area, decreased the crops he planted after past harvests did not yield favorably. A tenant, the lands he tills is several meters away from the waste pits.

Support from churches, doctors

Other institutions also found in the area had signed and supported the petition lobbying for the plant’s padlock.

Dr. Tony de Guzman, General Practitioner at the Speaker Eugenio Perez Memorial Hospital revealed that residents suffering from respiratory illnesses hardly recover due to constant exposure to the odor.

He said nebulization is a regular treatment because a lot from the residents developed asthma. “Asthma as an allergy is worsened by foul smells like the one emitting from the plant” he added.

Two church groups also supported the petitioners.

Pastor Romeo Ramos of Manaoag Better Baptist Church acquired asthma and regular sinusitis, urged petitioners who are also active churchgoers to pursue closure of the plant.

Complaining residents discounted the order of suspension saying, “Our clamor for closure registered for the third time is enough to demand padlock of the plant”.

Results awaited

Results of an upcoming assessment by the Municipal Council on the plant’s new anti-pollution facilities are currently awaited, said Mayor Napoleon Sales. He said possible permanent closure will be considered if the foul odor remains.

In a telephone interview, Alfred Baligod, Assistant Manager for Finance and Administration of Alko Distilleries said, “We have complied by enhancing our waste system through cleaning our digester”. The digester traps emitted gases which are later processed into fuel.

He said they sought the cooperation of the Bgy. Baritao local council to provide medical assistance to sick residents must they present valid certificates. Also, they had employed locals for contractual labor at the plant.

Environmental reports submitted quarterly to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are standard procedures done regularly, he added.

Continuing operation on December 4, residents feared the illnesses would result to further damages to health and environment. If not closed, residents said they will seek help from agencies of the national government in the metropolis. # Jong de la Cruz for NORDIS

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