SAFETY ASSURED. Bataan Governor Albert Garcia meets with officials and representatives of a manufacturing firm of explosives in the province on Friday (August 7, 2020) to discuss safety protocols being implemented in its plant. The move is to prevent a devastating explosion like what happened in Beirut, Lebanon. (Photo by the Provincial Government of Bataan)
BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Governor Albert Garcia said on Saturday he was assured by a manufacturing firm of explosives here that its plant is safe and complying with safety protocols to prevent an explosion like what happened in Beirut, Lebanon last August 4.
The governor said he got the assurance from safety officer Philip de Jesus of Orica Limay, producer of explosives used in mining, during a meeting Friday.
Orica, formerly known as Philippine Explosives, is located in Sitio Pex, Barangay Lamao in Limay town.
Garcia said de Jesus confirmed that Orica is using ammonium nitrate as raw materials in the manufacture of explosives but assured that the provincial government has nothing to worry because of their 51 years of clean track record.
“Maingat daw sila at mapagkakatiwalaan ang kanilang mga safety standards at walang panganib na magkakaroon ng aksidente o pagsabog tulad ng nangyari sa Beirut (They said they are taking extra caution and their safety standards are trustworthy and there are no risks of having incident or explosion like what happened in Beirut),” the governor said.
Garcia said he has directed the Bataan Police Provincial Office to inspect factories in the province using raw materials that may cause an explosion and see to it that it will not pose danger to life and property.
He asked the police to start on ports in Mariveles and Limay and the economic zones in Mariveles and Hermosa.
“Kailangang masiguro na sila ay sumusunod sa lahat ng safety standards and protocols at maiwasan natin ang mga aksidente o hindi sinasadyang pagsabog (We need to ensure that they are complying with all the safety standards ad protocols to avoid incidents or unintentional explosion),” Garcia said. (PNA)
