By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent .
MISAMIS Oriental Vice Gov. Jose Mari Pelaez on Wednesday called on the South Korean government to take back the tons of wastes shipped to the province since July even as he faulted the Phividec Industrial Authority for the shipments.
Pelaez said this even as he lashed out at Phividec for forging a deal with the consignee, VNS Verde Soko Philippines Inc., that resulted in the offloading and delivery of the wastes, some seen to be hazardous, to the firm’s recycling plant in Sitio Buguac, Barangay Sts. Cruz in Tagoloan town.
He echoed the resolution the provincial board approved on Monday that asked South Korea to take back the garbage and shoulder the shipping costs.
Through the resolution, the provincial legislature condemned Verde Soko’s act of importing wastes even as it called on the Bureau of Customs and the environment department to make sure that Verde Soko is punished.
The provincial board also called on the Lower House to pursue a congressional investigation into the controversial shipments.
Pelaez pointed an accusing finger at Phividec which, he said, vouched for the legality of the Verde Soko shipments.
“Phividec should be held answerable,” said Pelaez even as he pointed to an agreement between Phividec and Verde Soko that did not involve local government officials.
Pelaez said the agreement explains why Phividec allowed Verde Soko to bring tons of wastes into a 4.5-hectare property at the Phividec Industrial Estate in Tagoloan.
He said neither Phividec nor Verde Soko inform or consult the town governments of Tagoloan and Villanueva, and the capitol about the shipment of wastes.
Pelaez said he was dismayed because it was made to appear that it was the Philippine Embassy in South Korea that gave the shipments the green light.
He called the claim a “lie,” adding that he secured a copy of a document from the Philippine Embassy.
“Wala man magsulti ang Philippine Embassy sa South Korea nga ang Verde Soko, ilang gihatagan sa green light,” he said.
He said the certificate, signed by vice consul Ellah Mitra, stated that the Philippine Embassy “assumes no responsibility for the content” of certain documents.”
Pelaez it was Engr. Dax Hara, Phividec safety specialist, who made it appear that there was a green light from the Philippine embassy.
Verde Soko earlier maintained that the shipments did not contain hazardous garbage but recyclable plastic wastes it needs as raw materials for its products. Customs officials said otherwise.
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