Bulacan factory padlocked

MARILAO, Bulacan , Philippines  —    For dumping toxic waste in a vacant lot, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) padlocked a factory in this town on Friday.

Lormelyn Claudio, EMB regional director for Central Luzon, served the closure order on Silver Bridge Metal Manufacturing Corp. for violating its environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

Claudio said it was also found out that the factory has yet to renew its permit to operate.

The EMB said the factory should comply with the provisions of its ECC before it would be allowed to continue its operations.

Lt. Col. Amado Mendoza, Marilao police chief, said foul odor emanated from the waste disposal area of the factory in Barangay Prenza II.

Reports reaching the provincial disaster risk reduction management office showed that around 3,000 residents of Barangays Prenza II and Poblacion were affected by the foul smell.