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Victorias Milling Company says allegations against its distillery plant 'baseless, unsubstantiated' Posted: 02 Sep 2021 07:04 AM PDT THE Victorias Milling Company (VMC) has decried all allegations against its distillery plant in Manapla town, Negros Occidental as "baseless" and "unsubstantiated." VMC President Minnie Chua, in a statement, said that they have not violated any laws contrary to the claims of various groups that the distillery is operating illegally, among other issues. On the alleged pollution, the firm said it has regularly and consistently budgeted and spent on capital expenditures (Capex) to address environmental concerns, particularly on the reported foul odor around the distillery since early 2020. The VMC has invested in modern structures and technological processes to eliminate odor, it said. The most recent one is the installation of an Anaerobic Digester to lessen the presence of odor-causing bacteria in the slops by 60 to 70 percent and converting it to biogas. It has an Automatic Flaring System to eliminate odor-causing gases, and improvements in wastewater treatment methods at the aeration ponds such as filtration, aeration and dosing of enzymes to counteract the odor-causing chemical reaction in the digesters. Additional units of aspirating surface aerators in the Aeration Ponds to help eliminate odor were also installed, the company said. "We have invested over P200 million on these improvements to ensure we are environmentally compliant and the residents can attest to this," the VMC said. "Thus, it is quite unbelievable that these pollution and foul odor claims from a few people have any basis while the majority are satisfied with our efforts to make these improvements and rehabilitation we've introduced," it added. The distillery also stressed that it is covered with the proper Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) for the operation of its vacuum distillation, dehydrator and irrigation ponds. Moreover, the distillery's irrigation ponds are covered with the proper permits and licenses, it said. "That is why it is unfair for these people to accuse the mayor's office and all concerned government agencies for siding with us when we are doing our part in following due process and complying with the necessary regulatory and reportorial requirements," Chua said. Chua said the VMC has also been conducting tree planting activities in areas surrounding the industrial and natural polishing lagoons and aeration ponds to serve as natural air purifiers. It helped establish the multi-partite monitoring team (MMT) with the local governments of Manapla and Cadiz in 2020 involving government officials, environmental agencies, health experts and members of the communities to work hand-in-hand in preserving the environment, she added. While this is no longer a requirement by the EMB, the VMC believes this will set up a proper venue for community members to raise and resolve issues or complaints immediately with the representative government officials and agencies. "Our critics have been issued invitations to attend these meetings so they can air their concerns but they opted to issue baseless claims instead which makes us suspect their motives," its official said. She added that "nevertheless, the VMC remains committed to protect the environment and create value to the communities where it operates and with this, the invitation remains open to media who wish to come and visit the distillery, as they had in the past, to see for themselves the improvements that the company has implemented over the years." On alleged land grabbing, the company's statement further stated that there is no truth in the statement that the distillery is encroaching on other people's properties. Nor is there any truth that VMC has received any payment from the Land Bank for said properties. Where did these critics get information on this so-called payments, it asked. Certain areas in Manapla were zoned as commercial or industrial by proper authorities before the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) law took effect in 1988, and this includes the VMC's distillery. So as ordered by the DAR in 2017 and 2019, the land where the VMC Manapla distillery is located has been exempted from Carp, the firm said. On the non-Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration, meanwhile, the VMC said it is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. As part of the entire VMC business operation, the VMC Distillery – Alcohol Bioethanol is not a separate entity and is sanctioned by the Primary and Secondary Purposes of the Amended Articles of Incorporation of VMC which has been duly approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and, as such, was legitimately granted a Business Permit by the Municipality of Manapla, the company said. "We sincerely hope this puts all issues to rest and at the end of the day, we are confident that the law is behind us because we have always been in good faith in complying with all governing laws and bodies concerned in our operations," it added. 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Trade event poised to boost rural products in Negros Occidental Posted: 02 Sep 2021 06:58 AM PDT THE ongoing Negros Producers Market, a two-week trade event at the Robinsons Place Bacolod, is positioned to boost Negrense producers and their products especially those from the rural areas in the province. Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said a wide variety of products of 25 participating producers from various cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental are currently on display. Themed "Seeking opportunities for better tomorrow," the trade event running from September 1 to 15, 2021 is a joint project of the MBCCI, Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City Government. Carbon, also the vice president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for the Visayas, said the project aims to develop agribusiness in the rural areas of Negros Occidental. "The objectives also include securing the jobs and livelihood of the 'vulnerables' and sharing the prosperity in the urban areas to the rural communities," he added. The participating producers are from different sectors like food, agriculture, gifts, decor and houseware (GDH), tourism, and apparel, among others. During the first day of the trade event, they were able to generate at least P75,000 in sales. "They may hit over P1 million in 15 days if the trend continues," Carbon said. This is already the fourth of the series of trade events at the mall initiated by the business chamber since April this year. From July 20 to August 4, it gathered at least 24 local micro and small enterprises at the same venue. Prior to this, two more trade events were conducted at Ayala Malls Capitol Central and Robinsons Place Bacolod on June 1 to 15 and April 16 to May 2, respectively. These activities are also aimed at helping small producers cope with the effects of the prevailing pandemic through one, enabling them to generate more income. Carbon said the initiative is one of the three-pronged development agenda of the MBCCI for Negros Island. The two others include developing industries with export potential for faster economic growth and stability like shrimp farming, crab meat and blue swimming crab, cattle industry including beef and dairy. "Our other agenda is to strengthen the utility industries like water management, electric power, telecommunication and information technology services for sustainable growth," he added. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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