BALANGA CITY, Bataan - A top executive of Petron Bataan Refinery (PBR) assured the other day provincial officials that the management of PBR is doing its best to put the plant’s facilities in order to ensure protection of the people of Bataan, particularly those living near the refinery in Limay town.

Testifying at the provincial board session, Jimmy Santos, administrative nanager of PBR, said that personnel are rushing the repair of the facility where foul odor is being emitted, admitting that the executives and employees themselves feel inconvenient by the stench.

The foul odor is reportedly caused by oil sludge which is being softened before it is hauled off by liquid tanker.

But Santos told provincial officials that his technical men are monitoring the smoke emissions from their plant even as he  assured that the foul odor causes no health hazards to the people.

He said that he had already sought a special budget for the repair of the defective equipment, adding they are looking for a more experienced contractor to do the repair.

Board Member and Acting Presiding Officer Eduard Florendo asked PBR executives to adopt preventive measures to prevent the emission of the foul odor, saying the contractor should be penalized if there is neglect on his part.

Florendo said, however, that the purpose of inviting PBR executives  is to enlighten them on the plant’s status, and the information data gathered could help the board craft legislation for the protection of the environment.

Board Member Gerry Roxas, former mayor of Limay town, lauded Santos for his frankness during the inquiry, saying this would open an avenue toward better relationship between PBR and the community.