FPI urges action vs illegal lead smelters

THE Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) has asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to strengthen its investigation on illegal lead smelters.

In a press conference on Monday, FPI Chairman Jesus Arranza said that the DENR should support partnerships with barangays (villages) as they monitor activities in their jurisdictions.

The FPI said illegal and unregulated recycling of used lead acid batteries and smelting have had a negative impact on the environment.

FPI made this appeal after the closure of various firms in San Simon, Pampanga that operated without the necessary permits and licenses from the national and local governments.

He also received reports of unregulated lead smelters in areas like Valenzuela, Tondo, Tarlac, Cavite, Cebu, and Davao, among others.

“The DENR confirmed that indeed several lead smelters are operating without the permits and licenses required by the DENR and LGUs. The largest ones are operating inside the Global Aseana Business Park in San Simon, Pampanga,” said Arranza.

Last February 8, upon the mandate from the Office of the President, DENR and its regional office in Central Luzon, San Simon municipal government implemented the closure order against five companies.

The said facilities were padlocked and sealed with stickers and streamers bearing the cease and desist orders issued against them.

Arranza cited this situation as a demonstration of how local and national government agencies can collaborate effectively to prevent illegal businesses from causing harm to the environment and the nearby communities.

“With a strong mandate from the President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) and Secretary (Antonia) Loyzaga, we are confident that the entire country would be free from these types of environmentally destructive establishments,” he said.