Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez ordered the closure of a junkshop in Bacolod City on Thursday, June 6, where stolen cell site batteries were recovered.
Closed was DLC Junk Shop at Mabini Street in Brgy 25, owned by Dennis L Coo Jr.
Benitez issued a notice of revocation of business permit and closure of the DLC Junk Shop for violation of the conditions of the business permit issued by the Bacolod City government, and for misrepresentation.
The Business Permit issued to the establishment was for the operation of a junkshop.
However, on June 29 the Philippine National Police seized 136 cell site batteries with an estimated value of P13.2 million from the storage facility of DLC Junk Shop and 15 units of 12 volts 180AH batteries valued at P1.5 million, the notice said.
The Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) and the Permits and Licensing Office of Bacolod City also conducted a spot inspection of the junkshop on July 4.
Engr. Joel Vergara, ENRO officer in charge, reported that there were used batteries in the compound of DLC Junk Shop. It was also noted that when Dennis L. Coo applied for ENRO clearance, he executed an affidavit stating that “A. As Junk Shop we only buy junk metals; B. That we do not buy hazardous waste such as used lead acid batteries etc.”
Vergara’s report said to engage in the battery recycling process, the establishment should have secured an Environmental Compliance Certificate and Hazardous Waste Generator Registration Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau.
The establishment “was not authorized nor given any permit to operate as a storage facility of potentially hazardous materials. Let it be noted that for public welfare and safety, the city requires a more stringent requirement to be observed to operate a storage facility (for batteries) as aside from possible environmental hazard, the operation of a storage facility may entail health and safety issues and therefore must be strictly regulated”, the mayor said in his notice.
A clear and blatant violation of the business permit and misrepresentation was made, potentially putting the safety of Bacolodons at risk, the mayor said in revoking the junk shop’s permit.
Councilor Al Victor Espino said it was discovered that stolen cell site batteries and copper wires were being delivered to the junkshop.
Secretary to the Mayor Carol Joseph Chiu said the mayor will not tolerate such operations.
The mayor will ensure that the full force of the law will be enforced against junkshops that engage in the purchase of stolen items, Chiu said.
Globe Telecom Inc. filed a complaint for violation of the Anti Fencing Law against the owners and employees of the junkshop before the Office of the Bacolod City Prosecutor Tuesday afternoon, July 4.
Named in the complaint were Dennis Lopez Coo Jr. and Daniel Lopez Coo, owners of DLC Junkshop, its manger Rammely Abaring and Rodimar Juaneza, Col. Noel Aliño, Bacolod police director, said.
“Smart and PLDT will also file the same criminal case against the junkshop owners and employees. They are just completing their documents”, he added.*