Cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are deadly
byproducts of the power plant. The Lopezes violated many environmental laws.
Back in 2001, when the elite commercial and business
district we now know as Rockwell was just rising from the ground, the
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) took the Lopezes to task
for their violations of environmental laws. You see, the place where the Lopez
owned district would rise was once a Meralco power plant, which was also once owned
by the influential family.
Cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are deadly
byproducts of the power plant. And the Lopezes, in their eagerness to provide
the richest of the rich an exclusive community, violated many environmental
laws just to rid of Rockwell of these hazardous refuse. Their solution? Entomb
PCBs in cement and bury it in neighbouring community of San Joaquin. San
Joaquin is home to low to middle income residents. And it stands on a major
faultline. If struck by an earthquake, PCBs will surely leak out to the soil.
In fact, even without an earthquake, PCBs may still leak out as cement is a
porous material. PCBs are so toxic, even minute amounts of it can do damage to
a person’s health.
Which puts to question Gina Lopez’s qualification as DENR
secretary. Given her family’s history, why should we entrust this person to
safeguard our environment? Will she hold her family accountable for their
disregard of the safety of common folks?
Clearly, the Lopezes put on a false appearance of virtue.
They act in contradiction to their stated beliefs. Incidentally, these are the
definitions of the word hypocrite.
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