Negros Occidental SP environment committee summons reps of sugar mills, distilleries

Victorias Milling Company, Negros Occidental / Wikipedia Photo

BACOLOD CITY-– The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) committee on environment has invited 14 sugar centrals and distilleries in Negros Occidental to a hearing-inquiry on June 18.

In a letter to the private firms, Third District Board Member Patrick Lacson, committee chair, said the hearing-inquiry will be conducted “in aid of legislation.”

The invitation came on the heels of the reports on air and water pollution caused by some of these establishments in the province.

During the SP regular session last May 21, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau presented the status of compliance of sugar mills and distilleries operating in the province.

Invited were Lopez Sugar Central, Sagay Sugar Corp., Hawaiian-Philippine Company, Optimus Sugar Central, Victorias Milling Corp., First Farmers Holdings Corp., Central Azucarera de la Carlota, URC-SONEDCO, Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Company.

The distilleries are Distilleria de Bago, San Carlos Bio-Energy Incorporated, VMC Alcohol, Roxol Bio- Energy and Kool Company.

The committee also invited PENRO chief Andres Untal and DENR- Environment Management Bureau provincial head Victor Losbañes.