LGU issues CDO on Roxas Holdings’ ethanol unit

The provincial government of Negros Occidental has issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) on sugar firm Roxas Holdings Inc.’s (RHI) subsidiary Roxol Bioenergy Corp. after reports that a foul odor had been coming from its plant.

This came just after the company was linked to another environmental violation in April for causing a fish kill in Pontevedra due to its facility’s waste.

“The extremely foul and highly obnoxious odor emanating from the ethanol plant wastewater treatment pond … can seriously compromise the health as well as the general welfare and convenience of the residents of La Carlota City,” the order read.

It cited three instances last month wherein the plant emitted a foul odor that caused concern among the nearby residents, specifically on Oct. 7, 8 and 11.

“Suspension may be accordingly lifted at any time should Roxol Bioenergy [demonstrate] in good faith true and genuine activities showing substantial mitigation of obnoxious foul odor in compliance with its permanent comprehensive pollution control program and plan of actions submitted to this office,” the order added.

This must also be in compliance with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-issued environmental compliance certificate (ECC), which ensures that Roxol’s operations will not cause any significant negative impact on the environment.

Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) board member Roland Beltran said the directive would not have a severe effect on the region’s sugar output, where more than half of the country’s sugar is produced.

“SRA will monitor the situation,” he said.

Roxol Bioenergy is one of the biggest ethanol producers in the country with an output capacity of 30 million liters a year, while its mother company RHI is the country’s largest integrated sugar business.