The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) challenged Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Sec. Michael Defensor to investigate all corporations along Laguna de Bay. This is in light of the accusations being hurled at a company named March and June Environmental Management Corp. for allegedly dumping chemicals and hazardous wastes in Laguna de Bay. 

According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of KMP, “dumping of hazardous wastes and chemicals have long been the practice of corporations along bodies of water, just look at the Pasig River and you can see sewage pipes from companies like Shoemart draining into the river. Though it is true that communities along rivers add to the waste in Laguna de Bay and other bodies of water, their wastes are mostly solid, none hazardous and is very minimal as compared to the wastes of corporations,”

“As a matter of fact all corporations should be investigated on their waste and environmental management systems, so as to limit the degradation of our soil and bodies of water,” added the peasant leader.

The March and June Environmental Management Corp. contrary to its name also buries toxic and hazardous materials underground, risking the contamination of the water supply and the land.

As for his part Carl Anthony Ala, public information officer of the group, “what is really alarming here is not only the damaging effect to the environment but to the populace as well, because if these toxins seep in to the water table and the crops along the area, then another mass poisoning, like what happened in Bohol, is highly probable,”

“The immediate investigation of companies along the Laguna de Bay should immediately be done and all other corporations should follow, to prevent another tragedy from happening,” ended Ala. # # #
 

KMP - 17 March 2005