• CHERYL G. CRUZ
A liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage and refilling plant facility project is being proposed in Barangay Pacol, Bago City in Negros Occidental, due to the “soaring demand” for LPG.
Project proponent Republic Gas Corporation (Regasco), in the Project Description for Scoping (PDS) made public by the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau in Western Visayas Oct. 1, said that this project “represents a significant level of investment, with capital expenditure of P7,500,000…(for) all necessary planning and approvals, development of the site, and construction of related infrastructures.”
This investment will generate considerable long-term economic benefits on a local, regional, and even on a national scale, the company said. “The proposed project is in line with the Alternative Fuels Program of the Department of Energy that promotes the use of LPG as alternative transport fuel.”
The AutoLPG program aims to diversify the country’s fuel sources while contributing to solutions to air pollution caused by vehicular emission. Regasco said that while “some in the development community dislike LPG because it is nonrenewable, LPG, also known as propane or butane, is considered an environmentally-friendly fuel, with minimal sulphur content and lowest black carbon emission.”
Barangay Pacol, being the host community, will benefit from the project’s Social Development Program (SDPs) and Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) activities, the company said.
It will also contribute to the economies of Bago and the province of Negros Occidental, as employment opportunities will be opened, considering the manpower demand especially during the construction phase, it added.
“Government revenue in the form of income tax, sales tax, etc. will be generated from the project. In partnership with the local government and the host community, the proponent’s community development programs, in line with the project’s resulting social development plan, will enhance the delivery of basic services,” the proposal states.
Consisting of a 2×15 MT-capacity storage tanks, the entire project sits on a 45,757 sqm. property owned by the proponent. The project site was chosen mainly because of its strategic location for suppliers, both local and international, Regasco said, adding that they also considered the economic viability of transporting the product, and the receptiveness of the host community.
The LPG refilling plant is only for refilling empty cylinders, ranging from 2.7kg, 5kg, 11kg, 20kg, and 50kg LPG cylinders.
“There will be no requalification, repairs, painting, and hot works activities in the plant. LPG is transferred to gas carrier trucks or lorries, and delivered to different locations in city and/or province,” the company stressed.
The proposal will undergo public scoping on Oct. 11 at the covered court of Barangay Pacol, the EMB6 said. This is an early stage in the Environmental Impact Assessment process where the proponent will provide an overview of the proposed project, and gather concerns and other relevant information for the scope of work and terms of reference in the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement.
All interested parties, organizations, and agencies are encouraged to provide inputs during the public scoping and public review periods, and provide comments to Regasco, copy furnish the EMB Region 6 via embr6@emb.gov.ph, or at cia.embr6@gmail.com, the Bureau said in an advisory. | CGC
