BLUEMAX LAHAR DREDGING PROJECT COMMENDED BY DENR & PHILIPPINE PORTS AUTHORITY

Bluemax Tradelink Inc.'s lahar sand export project in Zambales was highly commended by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR) local offices in Region 3 recently.

Speaking over at radio station DZBB in the program 'Boses Ng Balita', Lormelyn Claudio, Director of DENR Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 3, said Bluemax's dredging and extracting of lahar sand along Bucao River channel, one of the main river systems in Zambales now heavily silted, was sort of like a miracle for the people of Botolan Zambales as it is expected to decrease more incidence of floods. It will also deepen the channel and will provide passage for overflowing flood waters.

"This project is supposed to be the work by the National Government with the participation of the Local Government but now private companies like Bluemax assumes all cost related to dredging and desilting, and agreeing that it is just right  for the Government to allow Bluemax to export the lahar sand for commercial purposes because Government doesn't need to pay private contractors like Bluemax   to do the job but even requires Bluemax to pay taxes from the sales of the said sand. It is now a very good opportunity to solve our problem with  Lahar sand," explained Claudio.

Bluemax' lahar dredging site in Zambales

Claudio clearly explained the positive impact of the projectand that it went thru Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review and evaluation pursuant to PD 1568. For his part, Reynaldo Cruz, OIC of the DENR's Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 3 explained in the same radio program that Bluemax has obtained all     the necessary legal procedures. "Their permit to export the lahar sand is regularly cleared by our office. Suffice to say the whole operation is above board and  legitimate," Cruz stressed.

A dump truck delivers tons of lahar sand to a large barge

The DOTC's Philippine Ports Authority (PPO) also recently recognized Bluemax for its immense contribution in the development and smooth operations of the sea port in San Fernando, La Union. The award was bestowed during the local PPO's 38th founding anniversary celebration.

The lahar is graded, processed whenever required, and exported by Blumax to Singapore for its massive reclamation project meant to sustain its fast economic growth. The company was awarded the contract to provide lahar sand back in 2011 says its president Clark Zapata in the same program.

Bluemax Tradelink President Clark Zapata (in yellow shirt) with DENR officials at DZBB Radio after their guesting

"Before, Singapore used to import sand from other much nearer countries. But these countries stopped it due to lack of supply and issues. But blessing for us, the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo left us an endless supply of lahar sand," said Zapata.

When Mt. Pinatubo erupted, endless tons of lahar sand were spewed out thereby creating havoc up to this day in the provinces of Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac and its surrounding areas. Whenever it rains, lahar would flow down from the mountains and would clog rivers, destroy properties and lives and bring down the local economies.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda