PHILIPPINE OFFICIALS CALL FOR TAIWAN-OWNED CEMENT PLANT CLOSURE.

CAMALIG, Albay, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Environmentalists and local officials calling for the closure of a Taiwanese-owned cement factory here have found an ally in the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) which reported that the firm is severely damaging coconut plantations in the area.

In his report submitted last week to the provincial board, Albay provincial agriculturist Angel Nieva said his office discovered that the operation of the Goodfound Cement Corporation (GFCC) in Barangay Palanog here has been destroying coconut trees in the area.

Nieva said the air pollution brought about by the cement manufacturing makes coconut trees within the one kilometer radius of the plant unhealthy and highly prone to fungi infestations.

This is manifested by the yellowish color of coconut leaves around the area, he said.

Nieva said coconut farmers interviewed told him that their production was reduced by 40 per cent since the effect of the cement plant pollution was felt.

Nieva recommended further study of the case by pathologists from the University of the Philippines so that proper action would be taken.

The cement plant started its operation last year even as its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) was granted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) only during the middle of this year.