US Navy contractor kicked out of Subic chamber of commerce

The MT Glenn Guardian docked at Alava Pier on Subic Bay. The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce has expelled the United States Navy contractor Glenn Defense Marine Asia Philippines from membership in the chamber after a Senate investigation showed that it was liable for dumping sewage into Philippine waters. ROBERT GONZAGA/INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines——The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) has expelled a United States Navy contractor from membership in the chamber after a Senate investigation showed that it was liable for dumping sewage into Philippine waters.

In a letter on Feb. 18, Danny Piano, SBFCC chairman, told Mateo Mayuga, president of the Glenn Defense Marine Asia Philippines Inc., that the firm’s membership in the business group has been terminated.

“The Subic Chamber regrets to inform you that your membership with the organization has now been terminated. Last 25 October 2012, we have sent you a letter of suspension pending investigation of various government agencies with regard to your company’s alleged waste dumping. Regrettably, the findings that came out showed violations by [Glenn Defense],” Piano said.

He said such violations were “deemed inimical to the interests of the SBFCC due to the damage it can cause to the organization’s name.”

200,000 liters of sewage

In a Feb. 5 report, the Senate committees on foreign relations and on environment and natural resources said Glenn Defense violated the country’s environmental and marine protection laws when it unloaded 200,000 liters of sewage it had collected from the US Navy ship, USS Emory Land, near Subic Bay in October last year.

The report of the Senate committee on foreign relations said Glenn Defense failed to comply with the government’s permitting process and was liable for dumping the untreated sewage in sea waters that had not been designated for that purpose by Philippine marine authorities.

The report also cited Glenn Defense’s failure to acquire the necessary accreditation as a hazardous waste collector and transporter.

The Senate committee directed the SBMA, Philippine Coast Guard, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources to start administrative proceedings against Glenn Defense, suspend all permits issued to the firm and determine if it should face criminal sanctions or be blacklisted. The expulsion from the Subic chamber is just the latest sanction imposed on the company after the US Navy barred the company from joining future contract bids.

The US Navy also warned Glenn Defense that should its violations continue, its current contract would be terminated.—Robert Gonzaga