Reclamation work in Masinloc halted

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has suspended the expansion activities of Alpha Water Realty Services Corp. (AWRSC), operator of the Masinloc coal-fired plant in Zambales.

This after the DENR found several violations related to AWRSC’s reclamation activities within the Masinloc Oyon Bay Marine Reserve (MOBMR).

“We will review their compliance to our requirements while the suspension order is in place. We will not tolerate violators to continue their operations without facing consequences,” Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said in a statement.

According to the DENR, the violations were discovered during its verification survey and site assessment within the area covered by AWRSC.

Based on the compliance monitoring report, AWRSC conducted an unauthorized reclamation on the midportion of the small craft jetty southwest of the plant.

AWRSC also failed to submit permits for its dredging and reclamation operations and its construction of a seawall.

It has also failed to secure permits for the stockpiling of coal, conveyors, access roads, and other functional plant facilities in the reclamation site.

The suspension order requires AWRSC to stop all activities related to the alleged violations and submit documents and permits relative to the reclamation and seawall development activities.

It was also required to rehabilitate the damaged area of the MOBMR.

The DENR warned that failure to comply with the conditions will result in the termination of the company’s permit and possible legal actions.

Aside from the suspension order, the DENR will also refer the violations to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for its action.

Meanwhile, the agency’s Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office has recommended the conduct of water quality sampling within the area to find out whether water quality was affected by the unauthorized reclamation activities.