Lack of permit in SMC clearing operations, criticized

by Thiago Santos January 14, 2021 Councilor Julian Villena. (Photo from Batangas P...

by Thiago Santos
January 14, 2021

Councilor Julian Villena. (Photo from Batangas PIO)

BATANGAS CITY - Councilor Gerry Dela Roca announced during the free session of the City Council that San Miguel Corporation did not have a permit for its clearing operations at the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal they are building in Barangay Ilijan, January 12.

According to Dela Roca, he spoke to one of its contractors and said ‘there are earth-moving activities’ being done at the site where the said terminal will be built.



“Bilang kinatawan ng Konseho, wala kaming ibinibigay na permit para sa pagsisimula ng terminal,” Dela Roca said.

He also said that although liquefied natural gas is one of the ‘cleanest sources of fuel’ so far, it is methane which is a volatile gas that can cause major accidents if it is handled incorrectly.



He also said that this is the reason why the city council could not immediately allow the operation of the LNG Terminal due to the many questions that SMC and its contractors should clarify.

“Ayon sa mga nababasa ko, kung sakaling magkaroon ng problema at magkaroon ng pagsabog na may kinalaman ang methane, halos 2km radius ang blast site na masasakop nito na syang pinangangambahan nating mangyari,” Dela Roca added.



Therefore, the council wants to talk to the representatives of the said company to answer questions regarding the safety of the terminal they are building.

Councilor Julian Villena, on the other hand, stressed that he did not want to repeat what happened earlier with establishments and businesses that we're able to operate even without a permit.

In this regard, Vice Mayor Jun Berberabe instructed the secretary of the city council to write a letter for the San Miguel Corporation to clarify the issue.