Junk shop shuttered over P14.7-M worth of stolen batteries

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By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The local government here ordered the closure of a junk shop on Mabini Street, Barangay 25 here yesterday.

This, after the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) recovered around P14.7 million worth of stolen batteries owned by two telecommunication firms at DLC Junk Shop on June 29.

Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez led the serving of the notice of revocation of business permit and closure to the shop for violation of the conditions of the permit, including the apparent misrepresentation by the junk shop with regards to its operation.

Based on the notice signed by Benitez, the business permit issued to the establishment by the Business Permit and Licensing Office for the operation of a junk shop.

The notice stated that the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) and the Permits and Licensing Office conducted a spot inspection on the shop’s premises last Tuesday.

Based on the inspection report submitted by Engr. Joel Vergara, ENRO officer-in-charge, there were stockpiles of used batteries in the compound of DLC Junk Shop.

It was also noted in the notice that when Mr. Dennis L. Coo applied for ENRO clearance, he executed an affidavit stating that “A. As Junk Shop we only buy junk metals; B. That we do not buy hazardous waste such as used lead acid batteries, etc.”

But police recovered 136 units of telco batteries amounting to P13.2 million from the storage facility of DLC Junk Shop and 15 units of 12-volt 180AH batteries valued at P1.5 million.

The BCPO initially valued the stolen batteries at P15.1 million, but after another inventory of the items, the amount was reduced to P14.7 million.

The Inspection Report further stated that to engage in the battery recycling process, the establishment should have secured an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) or Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) and Hazardous Waste Generator Registration Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

But DLC Junk Shop did not have the said documents when asked to present them during the inspection.

The notice said that the establishment was not authorized nor given any permit to operate as a storage facility of potentially hazardous materials.

“Let it be noted that for public welfare and safety, the City requires a more stringent requirement to be observed to operate a storage facility (for batteries), as aside from possible environmental hazard, the operation of a storage facility may entail health and safety issues and therefore must be strictly regulated,” the notice further said.

The notice said that “it is a clear and blatant violation of the business permit and misrepresentation made by the (establishment), in this situation, potentially putting the safety of Bacolodnons at risk.”

“Consequently, and for the protection of the general public, I am also ordering for the closure of your business establishment effective immediately,” Benitez said in the notice.

Under Section 444 (b)(3Xiv) of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code, all local chief executives are vested with the authority to “issue licenses and permits and suspend or revoke the same for any violation of the conditions upon which said licenses or permits had been issued, pursuant to law or ordinance.”

Globe has already filed charges for violation of the Anti-Fencing Law against Dennis, his brother and co-owner Daniel, Rammely Abaring, manager, and Rodimar Juaneza, a security guard, according to a report from the BCPO.

These four individuals have yet to issue their statements on the matter.

As of this writing, the BCPO is still waiting for the additional criminal complaints to be filed by Smart and PLDT against these four individuals for the same offense.

Meanwhile, three persons have been arrested and charged for robbery in relation to the said missing telco batteries from a cell site in Mabinay, Negros Oriental on June 28.