RESIDENTS of Barangay Maanas in Medina town have raised complaints about a persistent foul odor allegedly coming from a large oil processing plant in their area.

Barangay Chairman Rolando Ucat confirmed the reports, saying the smell has affected residents — particularly those living in Purok 1, near the company’s site — for more than a week.

“The smell is really bad, and residents nearby have been complaining for days,” Ucat said in an interview on Oct. 16, adding that the barangay has already taken initial action to address the issue.

The odor, residents say, can also be noticed by passing motorists along the National Highway in Medina, where the coconut oil company is located.

Several restaurant owners near the highway have also voiced their concern. Restaurateur Shiela Jalog said the smell has driven away some customers.

Barangay Kagawad Gwyn Delima Padilla, who also runs a small eatery, echoed the concern, saying their livelihood has been affected by the decline in diners.

FOUL ODOR. A resident living near the area points to tanks allegedly used to process waste from Axelum Resources Corp. in Barangay Maanas, Medina, Misamis Oriental. The sea can be seen on the right side of the facility. Photo by Edwin Iyo

Following the Oct. 15 regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan, Vice Mayor Paulo Magallanes declined to comment on the issue.

However, Councilor Roy Corrales, chair of the Committee on Environment, said he plans to invite representatives of Axelum Resources Corp., along with officials from the Rural Health Office, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Unit, and Barangay Maanas, to discuss the complaints in the next council session.

Glen Senoc, head of the Monitoring and Enforcement Team at the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Gingoog City, said the office has not yet received any formal complaints.

He assured that any official grievance will be forwarded to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 10, the agency authorized to investigate possible violations of a company’s Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

Ucat said Axelum staff told barangay officials during a recent session that a leak in a waste materials tank caused the odor.

The company reportedly assured local officials that it is taking steps to fix the problem immediately.