Negros wastewater spill affects 19 barangays

MANILA, Philippines — Wastewater spilled from a collapsed dike in a facility of a distillery in Bais City, Negros Oriental has affected 19 coastal barangays, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

LTJG. Marionne Abigail Enopia, chief of the PCG-Negros Oriental Station, yesterday said the PCG was waiting for the result of a laboratory test conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on the seawater of Bais and Manjuyod.

“The DENR has the authority to conduct laboratory testing and chemical analysis, but based on our initial information, the wastewater came from the lagoon of the distillery. That’s why we consider it as industrial wastewater, not just ethanol,” Enopia said.

The DENR said the company that owns the distillery has committed to fast-track the repair of the dike to prevent further damage.

The company targets to complete the repair by Tuesday.

International marine conservation group Oceana has asked the government to hold the company and concerned government agencies accountable for the ecological and economic crisis caused by the spill, particularly on the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape, the country’s largest protected marine area.

Enopia said the incident displaced fisherfolk in 10 villages in Bais and nine in Manjuyod.

“The PCG is helping the company contain the spill. We are conducting water monitoring in Manjuyod and Bais,” Enopia said, noting that water discoloration and fishkill have been reported in these areas.

The DENR reported that around 255,000 cubic meters of molasses wastewater were spilled from the distillery.

The DENR said it conducted a technical conference with the PCG, local government units and concerned agencies for the cleanup and rehabilitation of coastal areas.

Results of initial water quality tests conducted in affected villages by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) showed low levels of dissolved oxygen, a condition that can lead to fishkill and widespread ecological disruption.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Central Visayas prohibited fishing, gathering and consumption of aquatic products collected from contaminated areas.

The distillery owner has vowed to cooperate with authorities for the conduct of a full ecological assessment.

The company committed to provide assistance to affected residents in Bais and Manjuyod.

The DENR said it would review the company’s environmental compliance certificate and related permits to determine possible violation of the Clean Water Act and other environmental laws.

A multi-agency task force composed of the DENR, the EMB, the Biodiversity Management Bureau and the Protected Area Management Office as well as academic experts was formed to probe the incident.