A recent laboratory test conducted by the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) showed that the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is compliant with the standards of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on the discharge of its wastewater. This disproves the previous report that GSIS is contributing to the pollution of Manila Bay.
“In the interest of fairness, we are requesting LLDA to revoke the notice of violation issued to GSIS at the height of the Manila Bay clean up drive. It turns out that the basis of this alleged violation was the test where LLDA representatives used water samples taken from the inlet of the last stage of treatment and not at the exit stage of our Sewage Treatment Plant (STP),” GSIS President and General Manager Jesus Clint Aranas said.
He said that after the alleged violation had been refuted by the results of the retest of LLDA, the immediate revocation of the notice imposing penalty is necessary.
“Be that as it may, we have been evaluating the operations of our STP. We have also been meeting with several service providers to rehabilitate our treatment plant,” Aranas continued.
Aranas explained that GSIS regularly monitors the water samples from its STP by having it tested by a DENR-accredited laboratory.
“In the last three months, the results provided by Mach Union Laboratory, Inc. showed that the total coliform level in water samples from our STP was way below the allowable limit. Thus, the violation notice from LLDA came as a surprise to us considering that in previous years, LLDA had bestowed various awards on GSIS for exceptional environmental performance including the “Diwa ng Lawa” award. This award was given to us after obtaining a “Green” rating for three consecutive years (2010-2012) equivalent to a level of performance which is “ better than applicable standards” and compliant with LLDA regulatory requirements.“ the pension fund chief said.
He stressed that GSIS has been compliant with LLDA regulations and has been consistent in submitting quarterly self- monitoring reports. Moreover, the GSIS is a staunch advocate of environment protection as shown in its corporate social responsibility projects which include its support to the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
