Toledo coal plant warned over stench

CEBU, Philippines — Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has warned the management of a coal plant in Toledo City to address the leaking of gas that has reportedly caused foul smell in the area or risk facing consequences.

The spontaneous combustion portion of Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) in Sitio Bocalor, Barangay Bato, Toledo City reportedly leaked due to an oversupply of coal.

Garcia learned of this in a meeting with TVI executives, the Emission Monitoring Board, officials of Toledo City.

According to the report, some residents in Toledo have complained of the foul odor that has emanated from the leak.

“We determined that the foul stench arose from the spontaneous combustion of the coal of which they had an oversupply,” the governor told reporters.

Earlier this month, Toledo residents reported cases of dizziness and respiratory problems allegedly stemming from the smell emitted by TVI's plants.

TVI, according to Garcia, had its plants down for two weeks. This caused an oversupply of coal when the plants began operations once again.

Garcia elaborated that remedial measures could have been taken by TVI to avoid causing discomfort to the residents. Because of this, she has issued a warning to the company to make sure that the same mishap does not happen again.

“Should their plants bog down, they should already institute preemptive measures to prevent spontaneous combustion not an oversupply of their coal inventory,” she said.

Apart from this, Garcia likewise ordered TVI to start giving online transmissions to EMB through the Emission Database Transmission.  This will measure the emissions from two of their plants and determine the air quality of the area.

TVI has not yet been transmitting their emission data to EMB and has only been submitting monthly printed reports.

Garcia has given them less than a week ultimatum to start transmitting their emission records online along with the issued warning.

“Immediately by next week Monday that should already be installed,” she said.

Garcia said that TVI, for its part, had reportedly agreed to the order and has promised to take immediate remedial measures to avoid similar situation in the future.  JMD (FREEMAN)