Magalang, Pampanga Vice Mayor Eller Pecson wants the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) to investigate an alleged another illegal steel melting facility operating in a barangay in this town.
It can be recalled that the said authorities raided Chuangxing Steel Incorporated on July 18, 2026, where it discovered P3-billion worth of radioactive-bearing industrial materials, contaminated production equipment, and structurally substandard finished products in the same town.
In the said raid, 4 company officers were arrested while 347 Filipino and 37 Chinese workers were rescued from hazardous industrial threats.
In an interview with VM Pecson, he said that his office received complaints, photos, video footages and documents showing the alleged operation of another iron smelter located in Barangay San Ildefonso which he wanted to be investigated by the NBI and PAOCC.
It is known that the video shows several workers inside the facility not wearing safety gears.
According to Pecson, the photos and videos showing the workers there not having enough safety gears and personal protective equipment (PPE) are alarming because of the risk to their safety and health, so he wants it to be investigated.
Pecson stressed that if it is proven that the facility has violations, it must be immediately closed for the safety of workers and environmental protection.
He also mentioned concerns about the possible processing of radioactive materials that could pose a risk to the environment and the health of residents, as what recently discovered at Chuanxing Steel.
It was learned that some Chuangxing Steel workers are experiencing health problems including blurred vision and deafness.
According to the workers, who asked to remain anonymous, they are experiencing deafness and vision impairment, which they attribute to prolonged exposure to loud noise and other unhealthy conditions inside the plant.
They also went to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) in San Fernando City and formally filed complaints against Chuangxing Steel and its manpower agencies, Kingsmen Manpower and General Services Inc. and Bantayan Manpower Services.
They filed complaints against Chuangxing Steel Incorporated, Kingsmen Manpower and General Services Inc. and Bantayan Manpower Services for what they said were unsafe working conditions, improper wages, and other violations of their rights as workers.
Meanwhile, efforts are still being made to obtain the side of Kingsmen Manpower and General Services Inc., Bantayan Manpower Services and Chuangxing Steel Incorporated regarding the case filed against them.
