Taguig gas firm cited for permits violation

Taguig Mayor Freddie Tiñga issued last Friday a violation notice to Lan Gas Company due to its failure to acquire appropriate business and construction permits for the petrochemical plant located in Lower Bicutan.

The order was issued through Eduvigis Pagsisihan, Chief of Business Permits and License Office (BPLO). Source said Rodolfo Lantano, inventor of a process producing premium gasoline using water, petroleum and alcohol as basic component, owns Lan Gas.

In a press statement, Tiñga said the company allegedly violated provisions of the Taguig Revenue Code particularly on the application of a construction permit prior to the establishment and operation of the petrochemical plant.

Officials said Lan Gas applied for permits covering only the operation of a refilling and gasoline station along the predominantly residential area. The construction and operation of a petrochemical plant was not included in its application.

Lan Gas also operates a gasoline station along Gen. Santos Avenue in Upper Bicutan, Taguig. The Upper Bicutan station has acquired all the necessary permits from the municipal government.

The statement said the location clearance issued to Lan Gas by the mayor’s offices is not tantamount to neither giving the company the authority or permit to construct buildings, operate a blending or petrochemical plant nor operate a business.

Meanwhile, the municipal council of Taguig approved yesterday a resolution "confirming and ratifying" the contract of a garbage contractor that reportedly has been using an illegal dumpsite near the Laguna Lake and portions of Taguig, Rizal, and Pasig City.

Resolution 98, Series of 2002 effectively renews the municipal government’s contract with IPM Construction and Development Corporation, owned by one Isabelita P. Mercado, for its garbage hauling services from January to June 2002.

The resolution was sponsored by the council’s nine majority members, led by Councilor Marisse Balina-Eron. But councilor Noel Dizon of the minority bloc said he was still confused and bothered by the renewal of the contract, citing the ongoing investigations ordered by Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Taguig Mayor Sigfrido "Freddie" Tinga into the existence of the illegal dumpsite that is both a health and environmental hazard.

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. had also ordered a parallel investigation. – Nikko Dizon