Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco said Thursday the ice plant owned by his relatives should shoulder the assistance for the residents affected by the ammonia leak.
In an interview on Unang Balita, Tiangco said funds from the fund of Navotas local government should not be used in assisting those affected, including those wounded and hospitalized.
“Hindi naman po sa ayaw ng lokal na pamahalaan na tumulong kaya lang itong pangyayaring ito ay posed by a private company na nagkataon ay pamilya ko. So pangit naman na gastusin ang pera ng gobyerno dahil ang pinsala ay nanggaling sa kumpanya na pag-aari ng pamilya ng nanay ko so they will have to pay for everything,” Tiangco said.
“In this case, sabi ko singilin ‘yung pribadong kumpanya para malinaw na directly o indirectly, wala po magiging pakinabang ang pamilya ng nanay ko dito. Very sensitive ‘to eh. Hindi sa ayaw naming tumulong pero in this case, dapat po hindi gamitin ‘yung pondo ng gobyerno. Sana maintindihan niyo po kasi delicadeza po ‘yun eh,” he added.
Two died while over 70 others were hurt after ammonia leaked from the T.P Marcelo Ice Plant and Cold Storage on Wednesday afternoon.
Ice plant to assist residents affected by ammonia leak – Mayor Tiangco
Tiangco ordered to temporarily close the ice plant and cold storage facility, adding it would be reopened until authorities say it is safe.
“Hindi po sila magbubukas hanggang hindi naa-assure ng Bureau of Fire na safe ‘yun,” Tiangco said.
The management of the ice plant has not released a statement regarding the issue but Mayor Tiangco said he would be transparent regarding updates on the incident.
“Wala pa po, hindi ko pa nakakausap [yung mga may-ari]. But I have to disclose for the sake of transparency, dapat maging transparent po ako, ‘yung plantang po ‘yan ay pag-aari ng kumpanya ng magkakapatid ng mother ko. ‘Yan po ay minana po nila doon sa aking lolo,” Tiangco said.