SteelAsia mulls over legal action vs PNRI
SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp., the country’s largest manufacturer of steel products, is mulling over the possibility of taking legal action versus the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI).
This, after the PNRI ordered it to take custody of 23 containers allegedly containing hazardous zinc dust, which were exported by Zannwann International Trading Corp. to Indonesia in September but were ordered returned.
Zannwann, which is based in Meycauayan, Bulacan, sources zinc dust from various steel producers for export, not just SteelAsia.
SteelAsia, said, however, that PNRI had tagged it as the source of the alleged radioactive materials while “clearing Zannwann of responsibility.”
“This is not our shipment,” SteelAsia said in a statement over the weekend, stressing that these supposedly hazardous materials did not come from it nor its facilities.
The firm said it does not use or produce radioactive materials in steel manufacturing, and that it only manufactures and exports reinforced steel bars, not zinc dust, which is merely a by-product of its production process.
Order
SteelAsia said, however, that PNRI had ordered it to entomb the 23 containers in its plant in Calaca, Batangas, but it “strongly rejects” the order as it could endanger the community and other corporate locators in that industrial zone if indeed there is a threat of radioactivity.
The company said only PNRI has the legal mandate to perform such a function under existing laws, clarifying it does not have the technical capability, facilities or training to handle radioactive waste.
SteelAsia pointed out it is “being unfairly singled out” by the PNRI despite the absence of any scientific or factual basis.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government had ordered it to shut down its operations earlier this month, but it had already voluntarily suspended operations at its Calaca scrap recycling plant, the company’s flagship facility, out of caution while fully coordinating with PNRI.
Even so, SteelAsia said it “was taking legal steps to protect its interests and is continuing to pursue all remedies available under the law.”
“PNRI’s illegal, baseless, and unscientific actions will lead to irreparable harm to the entire Calaca industrial zone, resulting in economic dislocation, the loss of thousands of jobs, and the stunting of Calaca’s progress,” it added.
