TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla said that he was assured by the management of the only copper refining plant in the country, the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corp. (PASAR) located inside the Leyte Industrial Development Authority, that they are on top of the situation.
This after the management of PASAR temporarily shut-down its operations when its acid plant, where the electrostatic precipitator was located, was burned down at around six o’clock in the morning of January 2.
PASAR’s primary product is electrolytic copper cathode.
They also produce doré, an alloy containing approximately 20% gold and 80% silver, used mainly for jewelry and electronics; sulfuric acid for the manufacture of chemical fertilizers; selenium for textile, glass and photocopying industries; slag for shipbuilding and cement manufacture.
Petilla in an interview said that when he called the officials of PASAR they assured him that they will continue their operation but they will secure first the replacement of the machinery to ensure the safety of the personnel and the environment.
“We must not just look at it as business but also on its effect to the environment,” said Petilla.
Based on the earlier report, Paul Tan, PASAR’s assistant vice-president for industrial and community relations department, said that the damage could reach as $1 million.
The company, according to Tan, had already sent some of their personnel to Japan and China to look for replacement of the burned machineries hoping that they can resume their operation by February.
Although they can continue their operation, Tan stressed that the damaged equipment is vital as it is a major equipment in their anti-pollution measures.
Meanwhile, Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Forter Puguon said that right after PASAR was hit by fire its management immediately reported it to them.
Puguon added that he also visited PASAR last January 10 for the turn-over of livelihood assistance to the unionized employees of PASAR. He also had a tour in the area that was hit by fire.
Puguon added that he was assured by the management that there will be no lay-off to be implemented on their employees.
However, there might be an effect to the service contractors of the company.
PASAR has more 1,000 employees including the service contractors.
“That is what our field officer together with the management of PASAR and the local government of Isabel is discussing with if what can be done to those who might be affected with the temporary shut-down of their operations,” Puguon said.
“Probably, we may provide emergency employment to these affected service contractors,” he added.
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