Cebu City officials have issued citations to 4 persons found to be dumping into a canal the toxic liquid waste from used car batteries.

Alberto Maranda and 3 others were found allegedly dumping liquid chemical waste from the used batteries by a Mobile Patrol Group. The MPG immediately stopped the group and reported the incident to Cebu Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team (CESET).

The CESET was able to seize 63 used car batteries from the 3. The liquid solutions from 16 car batteries were allegedly found to have been already dumped in the canal at C. Padilla in Cebu City.

Maranda explained that their business is buying used car batteries from companies in Mindanao. He said that they get some parts of the batteries to sell as scrap metals. Since the offer in Mindanao for scrap metals is lower compared to Cebu, he said they decided to have it shipped.

He said that it was their first time to dump the liquid waste from used car batteries in the area.

Maranda said that they bought the entire 63 used car batteries for P20,000 and expected a profit of at least P5,000 when the scrap metals would be sold to different junkshops.

Jeffrey Padilla of CESET said that Maranda and his group violated City Ordinance Nos. 1361 and 2031 on disposal of hazardous wastes.

Padilla said that the liquid electrolyte from the batteries contain chemicals dangerous to the environment and to people’s health. He said that if these liquid chemical wastes enter waterways, it might cause serious health problems.

Padilla issued Maranda, Niño Jupel Gaylan, Andrian Maranda, and Jimmy Otom citation tickets. He said that the group should come to the city hall and settle their obligations within 7 days. He also said that a fine of P500 to P1,000 would be imposed on them.

A criminal case maybe filed in court if they fail to pay the fine. They may also face imprisonment for 6 months or more.

Padilla ordered the group to clean-up the area where they dumped the liquid waste from the batteries.

CESET however cannot confiscate the car batteries. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources are only the ones with authority to do so. He said that, as of the moment, the car batteries are set to be returned to Maranda.