Laguna Lake under serious environmental threat
September 10, 2006 | 12:00am
Laguna de Bay, Asia’s second largest freshwater basin, could face a more devastating catastrophe than the Guimaras oil spill, according to Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) general manager Casimiro Ynares III.
In a statement, the LLDA executive said Laguna de Bay, which serves as a catch basin for 29 major tributaries in Metro Manila and adjoining provinces, may end up in a situation worse than that of the Guimaras Island, unless measures and policies on the operation of gasoline pumping stations are instituted and implemented.
To forestall possible disaster brought about by oil spill, the LLDA had been hosting a series of dialogues with corporate executives of oil companies which include the "Big Three" (Shell, Petro, Caltex) and small players like Eastern Petroleum, Flying V, Seaoil, etc. During the dialogues, Ynares pointed out that more than 100 gasoline-pumping stations in Metro Manila are facing cases ranging from operating without the necessary LLDA clearances and discharge permits, inadequate wastewater treatment facilities and violations of the Anti-Pollution Code.
On the other hand, gasoline station operators are seeking the relaxation of certain pollution laws because of financial limitations. So far, only Petron has submitted its position paper. They are also requesting the LLDA to address the problem on illegally operating car washers within Metro Manila.
LLDA which is responsible for the closure and cancellation of the LLDA clearance of the Seaoil gasoline station in Pasig City after an accidental spill of its unleaded gasoline last month, issued a stern warning to the other pumping station operators to be more meticulous in their operation. Ynares said "we won’t hesitate to close down unmindful — if not totally defiant gasoline pumping stations to guarantee that their spills won’t end up at the lake and its tributaries."
Ynares said "we can’t afford to take chances insofar as the Laguna de Bay is concerned. This inland body of water is so important that the government has already started a multi-billion dollar project that will enable the lake to serve as Metro Manila’s next major source of safe drinking water." — Benny Enriquez
In a statement, the LLDA executive said Laguna de Bay, which serves as a catch basin for 29 major tributaries in Metro Manila and adjoining provinces, may end up in a situation worse than that of the Guimaras Island, unless measures and policies on the operation of gasoline pumping stations are instituted and implemented.
To forestall possible disaster brought about by oil spill, the LLDA had been hosting a series of dialogues with corporate executives of oil companies which include the "Big Three" (Shell, Petro, Caltex) and small players like Eastern Petroleum, Flying V, Seaoil, etc. During the dialogues, Ynares pointed out that more than 100 gasoline-pumping stations in Metro Manila are facing cases ranging from operating without the necessary LLDA clearances and discharge permits, inadequate wastewater treatment facilities and violations of the Anti-Pollution Code.
On the other hand, gasoline station operators are seeking the relaxation of certain pollution laws because of financial limitations. So far, only Petron has submitted its position paper. They are also requesting the LLDA to address the problem on illegally operating car washers within Metro Manila.
LLDA which is responsible for the closure and cancellation of the LLDA clearance of the Seaoil gasoline station in Pasig City after an accidental spill of its unleaded gasoline last month, issued a stern warning to the other pumping station operators to be more meticulous in their operation. Ynares said "we won’t hesitate to close down unmindful — if not totally defiant gasoline pumping stations to guarantee that their spills won’t end up at the lake and its tributaries."
Ynares said "we can’t afford to take chances insofar as the Laguna de Bay is concerned. This inland body of water is so important that the government has already started a multi-billion dollar project that will enable the lake to serve as Metro Manila’s next major source of safe drinking water." — Benny Enriquez
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