Firm in hot water for ‘dumping’ expired goods into Jaro River

A business firm operating a beverage depot in Iloilo City is facing the risk of losing its permit to operate while facing cases for violation of environmental laws for dumping expired commodities into the Jaro River.

General Services Office head Neil Ravena said they met the owner of the establishment for a technical conference on Thursday, June 18, and found some inconsistencies in his statement.

The conference was joined by the Business Process Licensing Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the barangay captains of Banuyao and Ticud, where the expired commodities were recovered.

“This is with regard to the disposal of expired commodities to the Jaro River. This is to verify reports and also for the respondent to explain why they are disposing their expired commodities in the Jaro River,” Ravena said in an interview.

The expired commodities were placed inside sacks and dumped into the Jaro River. These were recovered sometime in the second week of this month during the ongoing cleanup activities.

“The reason why we were able to trace him was because of the identical sacks left at his depot,” he said.

The firm owner, according to Ravena, explained that they are trying to repackage the expired drinks for return to the distributor of the bottling company.

These were reportedly placed outside their depot, but were picked up by trisikad (pedicab) and tricycle drivers and disposed without the knowledge of the firm owner.

Ravena said they were able to recover only portions of the 67 sacks that were disposed at the river.

The owner also admitted that they still have 500 sacks left, which they are attempting to return to the bottling company.

Cases for violation of Republic Act 9003, or the Solid Waste Management Act, and the Clean Water Act are expected to be filed next week once the minutes of the technical conference are available.

He will also recommend to Mayor Raisa Trenas the revocation of the establishment’s permit to operate.PNA