The Environmental Management Bureau-Region VI (EMB-6) is investigating the alleged use of coal ash for the Iloilo Esplanade extension.

Atty. Ramar Neil Pascua, EMB-6 legal officer, said laboratory samples were taken last March 26 as part of an inter-agency investigation that EMB-6 lead.

A complainant alleged filling materials for the Iloilo Esplanade expansion near St. Paul’s Hospital used coal ash taken from the Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) coal-fired power plant in Iloilo City’s La Paz district.

According to environmentalists, coal ash can contaminate waterways and groundwater with arsenic, selenium, and other heavy metals.

Pascua said investigators are trying to determine if hazardous materials are being used in the soil fillings.

The initial probe found the private haulers were also acquiring filling materials from Cabatuan, Iloilo.

Results will be released within three weeks./WDJ