Bluemax Tradelink commended by DOTC, DENR

MANILA, Philippines - Bluemax Tradelink Inc., a duly registered lahar sand exporter, was recently awarded by the Department of Transportation and Communications’ (DOTC) Philippine Ports Authority (DOTC-PPA) for its immense contribution in the development and smooth operations of the sea port in Central Luzon. The award was bestowed during the local PPA’s 38th founding anniversary celebration. The award specifically states that “in recognition of Bluemax’s active participation in private port development and operations that significantly improved the movement of ships and cargoes in the region, thus enhancing to a large extent accomplishment of the objectives of the Philippine Ports Authority, PMO San Fernando, (LU)/Sual.”

Its lahar sand export project in Zambales was also highly commended by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) local offices in Region 3.

Lormelyn Claudio, Director of DENR Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 3 explained the positive impact of the project and that it went thru Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review and evaluation pursuant to PD 1568. On the part of the DENR, Reynaldo Cruz, OIC of the DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 3 explained that Bluemax has obtained all the necessary legal procedures. “Their permit to export the lahar sand is regularly cleared by our office. Suffice to say the whole operation is above board and  legitimate,” Cruz stressed.

In 2011, the company bagged a huge project to supply tons upon tons of lahar sand to Singapore. The sand will be used to reclaim land and help sustain the economic growth of this progressive country. Before, Singapore used to import sand from other countries. But these countries have stopped due to lack of supply. But the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo left us an endless supply of lahar sand,” said Clark Zapata, Bluemax Tradelink president. Lahar sand is considered one of the cleanest and purest kind of sand. “In fact, some of our sand is directly shipped to Singapore without the need to process it,” says Nelson Sucilan, head of Bluemax Local office in Zambales.

The company’s heart of operations is in Botolan, Zambales where lahar sand is abundant. Botolan for so many years now endures dangerous lahar flow when the rains start pouring in. In fact floods abound because lahar displaces water from the Bucao river. The water floods the surrounding communities thereby destroying livelihood and disrupting people’s lives. The Bucao River has been almost displaced by lahar sand and is considered dead. But when Bluemax started dredging and desilting the river for its precious sand in 2011, the local economy was jumpstarted.